Cancer Genetic Testing

Hereditary Cancer Risk Assessment is done on every patient, and is also available to outside patients

  • The risk assessment identifies patients who are at an elevated risk for 8 hereditary cancers based on personal medical history and family history
    • Hereditary Cancer: When an altered gene (gene with a mutation) is passed down from parent to child
    • Currently, the panel being tested includes 35 genes
  • Who should consider genetic testing?
    • Patients with a personal and/or family history of:
      • Multiple cancers on the same side of the family (breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, colon)
      • Cancer diagnosed at a young age
        • Breast cancer diagnosed before age 45
        • Premenopausal breast cancer
      • Rare cancers
        • Ovarian Cancer
        • Male Breast Cancer
        • Pancreatic Cancer
      • Relative who has tested positive for a hereditary cancer gene
      • Ashkenazi Jewish Heritage
  • Will my insurance company pay for genetic testing?
    • Most insurance companies cover genetic testing when the patient meets the appropriate criteria.
  • What is the testing process?
    • Eligible patients who are interested in completing genetic testing will watch a 3 minute educational video about genetics and genetic testing.  Then the patients will speak with a genetic counselor over the phone.  If the patient qualifies, they may continue to complete the testing.  We will obtain a saliva sample that will be sent off to the lab for processing.  The results are sent to the Breast Imaging Center in approximately 3 weeks.
  • No appointment is necessary to speak with the genetic counselors or to complete the genetic testing.  Hours are Monday-Friday 7:30am-3:30pm.  Additional testing hours available by appointment.  Please call 585-396-6084. There is no genetic testing available on holidays, please call to verify availability.
  • Update testing is available for patients who have tested negative for BRCA1 or BRCA2 in the past, as genes are continuously monitored and added to the genetic testing panel.  The current panel includes 35 genes related to hereditary cancer.
  • For more information about Genetic Testing, please call our Nurse Navigators at 585-396-6084