Many factors are involved with health promotion and disease prevention, including genetics. While it may seem that genetic diseases are rare, we are learning more and more about the ways that genetics influence a person's chance of developing cancer, heart disease or even the way a person's body metabolizes medications.

You may wish to see a genetic counselor if you have:

• a personal or family history of cancer.
• clustering of the same or related types of cancer(s) in relatives. For example, multiple relatives on the same side of the family with colon cancer or other gastrointestinal cancers, especially if diagnosed under the age of 50. Another example would be having multiple family members diagnosed with breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreas cancers.
• Certain ethnicities. For example, individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry are at higher risk to carry inherited mutations in some genes known to increase the risk for cancer.
• Other medical findings such as physical differences, birth defects, unusual birthmarks or skin findings, etc., combined with a family and/or personal history of cancer.
• A known mutation in a cancer predisposition gene such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 in you or a family member.
• A confirmed diagnosis of a hereditary cancer syndrome. It is reasonable to periodically check back in with genetics to see if guidelines for management have changed.

We are excited to announce our partnership with DNAXPRT Consulting, a local group of board-certified genetic counselors who will be able to meet with out patients who are interested in genetic risk assessment.

If you have additional questions or are interested in a referral, please talk with your physician.