4300.08 ONC 10-10

www.LeeMemorial.org/CancerCare

Lee Memorial Health SystemRegional Cancer Center

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Genetic Risk ServicesRegional Cancer Center

8931 Colonial Center DriveFort Myers, Florida 33905

239-343-9512

R e G i o n a L C a n C e R C e n t e R

Genetic Risk Services

accuracy, quality and reassurance

Lee Memorial Health Systemoutpatient Center

RegionalCancer Center

about Hereditary CancerCancer is a common disease with complex causes, many of which are not completely understood. Recent advances in cancer genetics have led to the identification of genes that, when altered, cause significantly increased risk for certain cancers. Although most cases of cancer are not due to single, inherited gene alterations, a small percentage are part of hereditary cancer syndromes.

Some Features often Seen in Hereditary Cancer Syndromes include the following:• Clusteringofcertaintypesofcancerinafamily• Canceroccurringatyoungerages• Cancerinmorethanonegeneration• Morethanonetypeofcancerinthesameindividual• Individualswithrarecancers,suchasmalebreast

cancers or medullary thyroid cancer

our Genetics Risk Service offers• Educationaboutcancergeneticsandcancerrisk• Individualsandfamilycancerriskassessments• Guidanceaboutwhethergenetictestingis

appropriate• Discussionindetailoftherisks,benefits,implications

and limitations of genetic testing

How Might an evaluation Benefit You? You could:• Gainamoreaccurateestimateofyourpersonal

cancer risk• Decreaseworry—individualsoftenoverestimatetheir

own cancer risk• Increasethechanceofearlycancerdetection• Becomeaware,insomecases,ofincreasedrisksfor

more than one type of cancer• Gatherinformationtomakethebestdecisionsfor

yourself• Identifyfamilymemberswhohaveanincreasedriskof

cancer• Gainreassurance,insomecases,thatyouandfamilymembersarenotatriskofcanceranddonotneedextra cancer screening

What Can i expect to Happen During My Visit?Thefirstcontactisbyphone.Wewillanswerquestionsyoumayhaveabouttheserviceandaskforsomepreliminary information regarding your family history. Prior to your first visit, we will send you information that will help you collect your family history. The first visit usually lasts an hour to an hour and a half and subsequentvisitsareshorter.Yourevaluationandtestingmay take one to three visits.

Are You At Risk For Hereditary Cancer?

The answers to the following questions help to identify people who may be at risk for a hereditary cancer:

• Inyourmother’sorfather’sfamily,includingyou,havetwo people related by blood had the same type of cancer?

• Includingyourself,hasanyoneinyourfamilyhadcancerin matching organs?

• Includingyourself,hasanyoneinyourfamilyhadcancerat age 50 or younger?

• Includingyourself,hasanyoneinyourfamilyhadtwodifferent cancers that began in two different organs?

if you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, you may want more information about genetics counseling. Please call the genetics counselor at the Regional Cancer Center for an appointment at 239-343-9512.

Genetics Counseling is a Process. our counseling includes the following:• Obtainingyourmedicalandfamilyhistoriesand

drawing a detailed pedigree–family tree• Givingyouinformationoncancergenetics,riskand

the results of testing• Discussingcoursesofactionandchoicesforcancer

screening to reduce risk, as well as their associated benefits,risksandlimitations

• Discussing,whenappropriate,theoptionofgenetictestingforcancersusceptibilitygenes

• Obtaininginformedconsentanddrawingasmallamountofbloodifgenetictestingischosen

• Reviewingwithyoutheresultsofyourgeneticstest

is Cancer Risk Counseling Right For You?Ifyouareconcernedaboutyourriskofcancer,cancerriskcounselingbyspecializedhealthcareprofessionalscanhelpyoubetterunderstandyourrisksandtheoptionsavailabletoyouandyourfamily.