CANANDAIGUA – Research shows certain risk factors can increase the chances of developing cancer. Some of these factors, such as tobacco use, can be controlled. Others – like age and family history – are beyond our control, so UR Medicine Thompson Health is now offering cancer genetic testing to help area residents and their physicians make more informed decisions while taking a personalized, proactive approach to health care.
Offered to both women and men at the health system’s Dr. Laurie Sands and Constellation Brands Breast Imaging Center at 195 Parrish St., this testing assesses a person for multiple genetic mutations associated with increased risk for eight different cancers, including:
- Breast
- Ovarian
- Endometrial/Uterine
- Prostate
- Melanoma
- Pancreatic
- Colon
- Gastric
During the testing, a specially-trained healthcare professional collects a saliva sample, which is then shipped to a medical laboratory specializing in genetic testing for analysis. Results are delivered directly to the Breast Imaging Center, where the staff schedules an appointment to discuss the results.
Those who answer “yes” to any of the following questions may wish to undergo the testing: - Have you or your family members been diagnosed with more than one cancer or have there been multiple cancers on the same side of the family?
- Have you or your family members been diagnosed with cancer at a young age (50 or younger)?
- Have you or your family members been diagnosed with a rare cancer such as ovarian or male breast cancer?
- Are you of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry?
Approximately 97 percent of private insurance companies offer coverage for hereditary cancer testing for those who quality, and three out of four of these covered patients pay $0.
For more information about cancer genetic testing offered by Thompson at the Dr. Laurie Sands and Constellation Brands Breast Imaging Center, visit www.ThompsonHealth.com/GeneticTest or call (585) 396-6651. Please note, patients do not need an order from their doctor for the screening and instead can simply call and make an appointment.