DeKalb Medical offers a genetic screening and risk assessment program to identify individuals at an increased risk to develop breast/ovarian, colorectal, melanoma and other types of cancer. A multidisciplinary team of oncology nurses and physicians specially trained in genetic and hereditary cancers provides comprehensive education and recommendations regarding cancer screening, lifestyle management and treatment decisions. A sophisticated blood test gives patients the knowledge they need to make appropriate screening, prevention and lifestyle management decisions.

Assessing Your Risk for Hereditary Cancers

Many factors can affect your personal risk for developing cancer. An estimated 5 percent to10 percent of breast cancers, ovarian cancers and colorectal cancers are caused by mutations in specific genes which are passed from generation to generation.

Breast and Ovarian Cancers

While every woman should perform regular breast self-exams and have routine mammograms after age 40, there are specific risk factors that indicate the possibility of a BRCA gene mutation.

• Personal or family history of premenopausal breast cancer.
• Personal or family history of ovarian cancer, at any age.
• Personal or family history of male breast cancer.
• Personal or family history of both breast cancer and ovarian cancer in the same individual.
• Personal or family history of bilateral breast cancer.
• Ashkenazi Jewish ethnic heritage.

Why is risk assessment so important?

• Mutations in the BRCA genes play a significant role in increasing susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancers.
• Women with a BRCA mutation have an estimated risk as high as 50 percent of developing breast cancer by age 50 and as much as an 87 percent risk by age 70.
• Women with a BRCA mutation have as much as a 45 percent chance of developing ovarian cancer over their lifetimes.
• The risk of a secondary breast cancer or other cancer following breast cancer such as ovarian, colon or pancreatic cancer also is increased.
• Mutations can be passed on from either the maternal or paternal side of the family.

How can risk assessment help?

Knowing your BRCA status gives you the opportunity to take steps to reduce your cancer risk.

• Your physician may recommend increased surveillance, beginning with annual mammography and other screening methods as early as ages 25 to 35.
• Chemoprevention drugs such as Tamoxifen have been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer risk in women who carry a mutation by greater than 60 percent.
• Your physician may discuss specific strategies such as preventive surgery with you.

Colorectal and Endometrial Cancers

Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC) is the most common hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome, responsible for 3 percent to 5 percent of all colorectal cancers. In families with HNPCC there also is an increased risk for endometrial, ovarian, stomach, urinary tract and other cancers. Most cases of HNPCC result from a mutation in either the MLH1 or MSH2 gene. Other rare colon cancer syndromes also can cause a higher risk for colon cancer. The services of the genetic risk assessment team include a full evaluation of your family history to make sure the appropriate testing is performed.

Talk with your physician about genetic risk assessment if you have:

• A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or endometrial cancer diagnosed before age 50.
• Two or more immediate relatives with colon or endometrial cancers diagnosed before age 50.
• A personal or family history of more than one cancer associated with HNPCC diagnosed in the same person.

How can risk assessment help?

Your physician may discuss strategies such as increased screening with you to reduce your cancer risk.

1. Colonoscopy every one to three years beginning at ages 20 to 25.
2. Gynecological screenings for endometrial and ovarian cancer beginning at ages 25 to 35.

Compassionate, Confidential Services

The decision to proceed with risk assessment for hereditary cancers is a very personal one. You can be assured that our staff appreciates the privacy and intimacy of the situation for each individual. Education on the process, its benefits and implications is available to anyone considering the procedure, free of charge. Once results are obtained, each patient receives an individualized plan for follow-up care with his or her regular physician. All results remain confidential and are not reported to employers or insurance carriers.

If you would like some more information, call our Easy Access service at 404-501-EASY, and we will be happy to discuss this further with you. A brief evaluation of your family history and information on whether you are at risk to carry a genetic mutation can be obtained via a phone interview.

Location(s)
• 2701 North Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033 404-501-5701