Genetic testing allows doctors to help treat, and even prevent, certain types of cancers. Many patients can benefit from genetic testing; however, we still don’t know a lot about how to best use the results of these tests.
A certified genetic counselor can help you understand your risk for hereditary cancer. A hereditary cancer is any cancer caused by an inherited change to a gene. "Inherited" means that this genetic change, also called a germline mutation, can be passed from parent to child within a family.
A genetic counselor can evaluate your individual risk of getting certain types of cancer based on your family's medical history. They also explain which genetic tests can give you more information about your risk level.
Georgia Hurst, a Lynch syndrome advocate, describes from her personal experience the emotional and physical toll being diagnosed with a genetic condition that increases cancer risk can take.
Sharing your family health history with your health care team is important. This is especially true if you or a family member have been diagnosed with cancer.
People may be more likely to be diagnosed with cancer if someone else in their family also had cancer. It is one of many risk factors for developing cancer.
ON THIS PAGE: You will find out more about what factors increase the chance of developing rhabdomyosarcoma. Use the menu to see other pages.
A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing cancer. Although risk factors often influence the development of cancer, most do not directly cause cancer. Some people with several risk factors never develop cancer, while others with no known risk factors do.
ON THIS PAGE: You will find out more about the factors that increase the chance of developing an adrenal gland tumor. Use the menu to see other pages.
ON THIS PAGE: You will find out more about the factors that increase the chance of developing retinoblastoma. Use the menu to see other pages.
A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing cancer. Although risk factors often influence the development of cancer, most do not directly cause cancer. Some people with several risk factors never develop cancer, while others with no known risk factors do.
ON THIS PAGE: You will find out more about the factors that may increase the chance of developing childhood cancer. Use the menu to see other pages.
A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing cancer. Although risk factors often influence the development of cancer, most do not directly cause cancer. Some people with several risk factors never develop cancer, while others with no known risk factors do.
ON THIS PAGE: You will find out more about the factors that increase the chance of developing a Wilms tumor. Use the menu to see other pages.
A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing a tumor. Although risk factors often influence the development of a Wilms tumor, most do not directly cause it. Some children with several risk factors never develop a tumor, while others with no known risk factors do.
