Genetic testing and counseling can help women understand their hereditary risk of breast cancer – and take action to manage their risk.
Patients qualify for genetic testing based on a set of criteria that includes family medical history, personal medical history, and other risk factors.
Testing can offer peace of mind, a chance to take advantage of advanced screening and preventative measures, and an opportunity to help family members manage their risk.
Breast cancer awareness truly can be lifesaving! It encourages women to get their mammograms, be aware of changes in their breasts, and take steps to manage their risk.
Some patients can get even more information using the power of their DNA.
Regional One Health Cancer Care breast surgical oncologist Ashley Hendrix, MD, FACS, who is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network panel that establishes genetic testing guidelines for breast cancer patients, said genetic counseling and testing can help high-risk breast cancer patients be proactive about prevention, detection and surveillance – for themselves and their families.
Dr. Hendrix noted breast cancer is one of several types of cancer that can be hereditary, or passed down from family, due to genetic mutations.
“Your genes are responsible for everything from your appearance to how your body works,” she said. “If you inherit a faulty tumor suppressor gene, it can increase your potential for developing cancer and having cancer at a younger age. It doesn’t mean you’ll definitely get cancer, but you might want to consider options to manage your higher risk.”
That’s where genetic counseling can come into play.
“Genetic testing gives us an astounding opportunity to impact the screening and detection of cancer,” Dr. Ashley Hendrix said. “We are proud to expand access to this type of care.
“We start by getting a detailed medical history,” Dr. Hendrix said. “You can expect your first visit to take about an hour, and your provider will ask about your family’s cancer history going back at least three generations and review your personal health history and risk factors.”
They use National Comprehensive Cancer Network criteria to determine if a patient qualifies for genetic testing. If you do, you’ll have blood drawn, and it will be sent to a genetic testing lab.
Results usually come back in 2-4 weeks. “Then, we meet with you to discuss managing your risk and what it means for your family,” Dr. Hendrix said.
Some patients need to start screening mammograms younger and have them more often. Breast MRI screening is another option.
Other patients can benefit from preventative therapies.
Medications like Tamoxifen and PARP inhibitors can help reduce your cancer risk. You can also opt for a prophylactic mastectomy – many people are likely to remember actress Angelina Jolie speaking about having this surgery after discovering she carries the BRCA1 gene.
“These are very personal decisions, and we support you in making the right choice for you. We also discuss how this impacts your family,” Dr. Hendrix said. “If you have a genetic mutation, it can lead to cascade testing of children, parents, siblings and other relatives.”
Genetic counseling and testing can be highly beneficial for breast cancer patients, she said.
For some women, genetic testing leads to enhanced screening to help manage their risk. There are also medications and surgeries patients can consider to prevent breast cancer.
For some people, it provides peace of mind thanks to a negative test. For others, it’s a chance to make informed decisions for themselves and their family.
“We are proud to expand access to this type of care,” Dr. Hendrix said. “It is estimated that 90 percent of mutation carriers remain unidentified, so genetic testing gives us an astounding opportunity to impact the screening and detection of cancer.”
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Dr. Hendrix sees patients at Regional One Health Cancer Care and is in charge of the high-risk breast cancer clinic. Regional One Health also has genetic counseling clinics for pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, gynecologic cancer, and melanoma.