Family History of Cancer: Should I Consider Genetic Counseling?
When cancer affects someone in your family, it is natural to wonder what it might mean for you.
Maybe several relatives have had cancer. Maybe someone was diagnosed at a young age. Or perhaps someone in your family has already been found to have a genetic change linked to a higher risk for cancer.
You may have questions. Does cancer run in my family because of our genes? Am I at higher risk? Should I consider genetic testing? Could this change when or how often I should be screened? What could it mean for my children, siblings, or other relatives?
Most cancers are not caused by an inherited genetic change. But sometimes, patterns in your family history of cancer may suggest an inherited risk.
When Might a Family History of Cancer Suggest an Inherited Risk?
Having cancer in your family does not always mean that the cancer is hereditary. Still, certain patterns may be important to discuss with a genetic counselor or healthcare provider.
These may include:
Cancer diagnosed at a younger-than-expected age
Several relatives with the same or related types of cancer
One person who has had more than one type of cancer
Certain less common cancers, such as breast cancer in a man
Cancer seen across several generations of a family
A known genetic change linked to cancer in the family
Ancestry associated with a higher chance of certain inherited cancer-related genetic changes, such as Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
Cancer history on your father's side can be just as important as cancer history on your mother's side.
What if a Genetic Change Is Already Known in My Family?
If someone in your family has a genetic change linked to cancer risk, tell your genetic counselor or healthcare provider.
If possible, ask your relative for a copy of their genetic test report. The exact gene and genetic change can be important. Having the report can help a genetic counselor understand what testing may be useful for you.
If you choose to have testing, your results may show whether you inherited the genetic change found in your family.
This information may also be important for other relatives. Brothers, sisters, children, and other family members may have questions about their own risk and whether they should consider genetic counseling or testing.
Could This Affect My Cancer Screening?
Yes, it can.
Your personal history, family history, and genetic test results can help your healthcare team better understand your cancer risk.
For some people, a higher cancer risk may mean starting certain screenings earlier, having them more often, or using different types of screening.
A genetic counselor can help you understand what your family history or genetic test results may mean for your cancer risk. They can also help identify information that may be important to share with your healthcare team.
Your treating healthcare provider may use this information when discussing screening and other medical care with you.
Does Seeing a Genetic Counselor Mean I Need Genetic Testing?
No.
Genetic counseling does not mean you have to get a genetic test.
A genetic counselor can review your personal and family history and explain whether testing may be helpful. They can also talk with you about what a test can and cannot tell you and what different types of results may mean.
If you decide to have genetic testing, it can often be done with a blood or saliva sample.
The goal is to help you understand your choices so you can make an informed decision.
You Don't Have to Make Sense of It All on Your Own
Cancer risk and genetic testing can bring up many questions. Family history, test choices, medical terms, and concerns about what the information could mean for your family can be a lot to sort through.
You do not have to figure it all out on your own.
A genetic counselor can help bring the pieces together. Genetic counseling is not about pushing you toward a test or a particular decision. It is about helping you understand your family history, testing options, and results so you can ask informed questions and make choices that are right for you and your family.
Have questions about your family history of cancer or genetic testing? GeneticCare360™ can connect you with an experienced, board-certified genetic counselor through secure telehealth.
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