Genetic testing

Genetic counselors are experts in hereditary cancer who will help you understand whether the cancer in your family is hereditary and what to do about it.

A genetic counselor will:

• Describe the benefits and limitations of testing
• Discuss how to manage your cancer risk
• Discuss whether you're a candidate for gene testing
• Help you order the appropriate genetic test if you choose to proceed with testing
• Interpret gene test results and explain what they mean
• Provide recommendations for follow-up care to both you and your doctor
• Review your family health history and explain your risk for cancer

Hereditary cancers occur when a person carries a change (mutation) in a gene that normally protects the body from developing cancer. This change increases a person's risk for one or more types of cancer and can be passed from generation to generation.

Families with one of these mutations may have multiple cases of these cancers. That is why knowing your family history is an important first step in understanding your risks. Contact the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center at Parkridge Medical Center at (423) 493-1690 for a questionnaire to see if the cancer in your family may be hereditary.

If you have a breast cancer gene (BRCA) mutation, you may be at risk for several cancers, such as breast or ovarian cancer. If you're concerned, we encourage you to talk to any of our specialists. We provide genetic testing for women who have a higher risk and offer options to detect it early.

We're happy to answer any commonly asked questions about genetic counseling and provide an overview on the benefits.

What is a genetic counselor?

Genetic counselors are health professionals with specialized graduate degrees and experience in medical genetics. Genetic counselors work as members of a health care team, providing information and support to families who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions, including hereditary cancer syndromes. They identify families that are at risk, investigate the conditions present, interpret information about the condition, analyze inheritance patterns and risks, identify appropriate genetic tests, interpret genetic test results and review available options with the family.

What is the benefit of genetic counseling?

One benefit of genetic counseling is learning how your family history of cancer (or pre-cancerous findings) affects your cancer risk. Once you know your risk, the genetic counselor will help you develop a strategy to reduce risks for you and your relatives. Another benefit of genetic counseling is that a genetic counselor is specially trained to accurately interpret any genetic testing results for you or your family. Genetic tests require complex interpretation and results are often not straightforward.

What will happen prior to my appointment?

A patient care coordinator (PCC) from InformedDNA will call you to schedule your appointment and provide you with instructions to register as a patient through the secure online patient portal. Before your appointment, you will be asked to complete information about your personal and family history of cancer. This step is an important part of providing you with accurate information about your risks. You may need to contact some of your family members in order to complete this information. The family history questionnaire is usually done online and takes around 20 minutes. Please be sure you have time to complete it as you cannot save a partially finished questionnaire.

Why do I need my family history before the appointment?

Genetic counselors are trained to evaluate and interpret your personal and family history to assess your risk for cancer or a hereditary gene mutation. Genetic counselors use a variety of models to provide you with an accurate risk assessment. It takes time to run these risk assessments. Providing this information ahead of time allows your genetic counselor to fully prepare and will shorten the overall length of your appointment.

What happens during my appointment?

During your appointment, a genetic counselor will call you at the number you provided to review important pieces of your family history, ask additional specific questions, discuss how your information affects your cancer risk and offer medical management options. You will also discuss how your personal and family history affects your family members’ risks. Most appointments last 45-60 minutes but may last up to 75 depending on your questions. In order to get the most out of your appointment, please schedule it during a time when you will not have any outside interruptions.

What are my costs?

Most commercial insurance companies will cover most or all of the cost of genetic counseling. Prior to your appointment, the InformedDNA team will contact your insurance company and verify what your out-of-pocket cost will be for the appointment. You will be notified before your appointment what the total cost for genetic counseling will be. If genetic testing is indicated for you, your genetic counselor will discuss the cost of testing as well the process of insurance authorization for the testing before it is done.

Is genetic testing required if I agree to counseling?

No, genetic counseling will help you understand whether you could benefit from genetic testing. Your genetic counselor will discuss the benefits and limitations of testing specific to your personal situation. If you choose not to have genetic testing, or you are not an appropriate candidate, your counselor will still discuss your personal risk assessment and offer recommendations for screening based on family history.

Will my doctor get a report after my appointment?

Following your appointment, you and your doctor will get a report from a genetic counselor that summarizes all of the information you discussed during your appointment, including a copy of your family tree. This report is important for your medical care and may also be useful to share with your family members.

You will be contacted by one of the InformedDNA patient care coordinators (PCCs) by phone as soon as we send them a referral from your physician.

For more information or to schedule your genetic counseling appointment, please call the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center at Parkridge Medical Center at (423) 495-1865.

As part of Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare, our family of hospitals provides comprehensive cancer services with convenient access to cutting-edge therapies for people facing cancer in our communities. From diagnosis to treatment and survivorship care, our oncology expertise ensures you have access to locally trusted care with the support of a globally recognized network.

askSARAH helpline

Have cancer questions? We can help. askSARAH is a dedicated helpline for your cancer-related questions. Our specially trained nurses are available 24/7, and all calls are confidential. Contact askSARAH at (352) 339-7000 or learn more about askSARAH online.