Genetic Counseling For Hereditary Cancers
Understand Your Risk
When a family member has been diagnosed with cancer, you may wonder if you're at increased risk for cancer yourself. One in three people will develop cancer in their lifetime, so it's not uncommon to see several family members who have had cancer due to chance or a shared environment. However, 5-10% of cancers are associated with an inherited factor that predisposes a person to cancer—especially breast, ovarian and colorectal. If these hereditary cancers run in your family, different screening and management options may be available to you.
If you're concerned about your family history of cancer, genetic counseling may help. A referral to a cancer genetic counselor does not mean you have a “hereditary” cancer; it simply means your physician feels it's important to gather more information about your personal and family history of cancer. Our genetic counselors are certified professionals, trained and educated at the master's degree level. We can help you understand scientific, medical, and genetic information relating to a personal and/or family history of cancer.
A specially trained genetic counselor is available to meet with you and answer questions about your hereditary cancer concerns. For more information, please call (208) 381-2734.
We offer compassionate, personalized care grounded in the latest science—so you can make informed decisions with confidence and peace of mind.
What To Expect
Our team will:
- Evaluate and recognize family histories for hereditary cancer syndromes
- Provide a cancer risk assessment for your family
- Help you and your family make sense of complex information about:
- Genetics and cancer
- Costs, benefits, and limitations of genetic testing
- Issues of privacy, confidentiality, and genetic discrimination
- Coordinate and interpret genetic testing
- Review medical management and implications of genetic test results
- Provide follow-up support and coordination of referrals
We’re dedicated to making sure you have the information you need to make informed medical decisions in a supportive environment that affirms your individual cultural, religious, and ethical beliefs.
Locations Offering Genetic Counseling for Hereditary Cancers
Find a Genetic Counselor
Get to know the certified genetic counselors who can help you understand any genetic risks facing you and your family.
More Than Medicine
Supportive Oncology
Supportive oncology is an integral part of the St. Luke’s Cancer Institute philosophy that healing comes from caring for the whole person, not just the disease.