Cancer Care
Genetic Counseling

Hereditary Cancers

Although most cancers are thought of as sporadic events, approximately 10% are hereditary. These hereditary cancers are due to specific inherited factors or genes that cause an increase in susceptibility to develop certain cancers. Families can pass on a gene from generation to generation, which increases the risk of these cancers to develop at a young age. Hereditary cancers can include but are not limited to:

• Breast
• Ovarian
• Colorectal
• Thyroid
• Renal
• Prostate
• Skin (Melanoma) and Pancreas

If these families at risk for inherited cancer susceptibility can be identified, genetic testing may be available to help determine personalized surveillance, management, and surgical options in the hopes of preventing the cancers from occurring. Health professionals, such as genetic counselors, can help individuals and families answer questions about their hereditary cancer risks.

What Are Genetic Counselors?

Genetic counselors are Master’s level, certified professionals who help individuals understand scientific, medical and genetic information relating to a personal and/or family history of cancer. These professionals are trained to:

• evaluate and recognize family histories for hereditary cancer syndromes
• provide familial cancer risk assessment and calculation of hereditary risks to specified individuals
• help patients and families make sense of complex information about:
  • genetics and cancer
  • costs, benefits and limitations of genetic testing
  • issues of privacy, confidentiality and genetic discrimination
• coordination and interpretation of genetic testing
• review of medical management and implications of genetic test results
• follow-up support and coordination of referrals

In consultation with a genetic counselor, individuals and families are able to make informed medical decisions in a supportive environment that affirms their personal cultural, religious and ethical beliefs.

In addition to providing education and support services to families with genetic concerns, genetic counselors are also involved in connecting patients and families with national and community-based informational resources, including research studies, support groups, and funding agencies.

Is Genetic Counseling For You?

Most often, families with inherited cancer susceptibility exhibit certain hallmarks that raise suspicion for a hereditary cancer syndrome. In some families, the pattern is clear and obvious. However in others, incomplete information, small family size, or unknown diagnoses can make identification more challenging. The following are broad guidelines for identifying individuals and families at increased risk for hereditary cancer syndromes. If you answer yes to any of the following questions, genetic counseling may be useful for you.

• Have you or a close family member had a cancer at an early age (such as breast or colon cancer under 50 years old)?
• Do you have multiple family members with cancer in two or more generations?
• Has any one person in your family had more than one type of cancer?
• Has anyone in your family been diagnosed with bilateral (both sides) cancer of paired organs (such as breasts, ovaries, or kidneys)?
• Are you related to someone who is known to have an inherited a gene that can cause susceptibility to cancer (such as BRCA1 or BRCA2)?

The Hereditary Cancer Assessment Clinic at St. Luke’s Mountain States Tumor Institute uses a team approach to provide patients with the most complete and up-to-date care. Here at MSTI a specially trained genetic counselor is available to meet with you and answer questions about your hereditary cancer concerns.

Contact Us

For more information about The Hereditary Cancer Assessment Clinic at St. Luke’s Mountain States Tumor Institute contact:

Jennifer Eichmeyer, MS, CGC
(208) 381-2734
Erin Dola, MS, CGC
(208)381-4189
Certified Genetic Counselors
100 E. Idaho St.
Boise, ID 83712