Ask The Experts About Genetic Counselors Pay
Nancy asks…
I want to get tested for the BRCA gene mutations?
My family has a very strong history of breast cancer, so I want to get tested for the gene mutations. My mom (a breast cancer survivor) was going to get tested, but it’s not high on her list of priorities and she isn’t really doing anything about it. I am 24 years old and want to know if I should start thinking about my options, if I do have a mutation. I know the normal procedure would be to go see a genetic counselor, but I feel that is an unnecessary step. I majored in biology in college, focusing on genetics, and had a genetic counseling internship, as well as shadowed 3 genetic counselors. I would rather just get my blood drawn and send it in to get tested. Could a doctor do this for me? I know I need to talk to my insurance company about paying for it (I know it could ruin my medical history, but I don’t have a thousand dollars to blow, so I would only be able to get tested if my insurance company helps me out), but first I would like to know how to even get the test done. Thanks!
If I tested positive, I would probably get a masectomy while I am young and recover quickly and I’m not in a busy time of life.
admin answers:
Did your mom’s doctor recommend she be tested? If they believe it may be a hereditary cancer they do. Go to your doctor and ask. If there is reason to believe there may be a hereditary cancer in your family, which is uncommon, his office will get authorization from your insurance company.
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Benefits of Genetic Counseling
Thea Johnson, Affinity’s genetic counselor; Brenda, a cancer patient; and Karen, Brenda’s sister, discuss how genetic counseling impacted Brenda’s treatment plan. The family has made preventative health a focus after going through the genetic counseling process. To learn more about genetic counseling, visit www.affinityhealth.org
From www.beetmedicine.tv Breast and ovarian cancers are among the few diseases where a blood test can demonstrate whether a woman has a mutation of genes BRCA1 and 2 which are specific and predict for hereditary cancer. Shivani Nazareth, a genetics counselor, describes who should be tested, what can be learned from the blood test and why it useful in making decisions about treatments whether it is positive or negative. — Peter Pressman, MD About our interviewee: Shivani Nazareth, MS, is a Certified Genetic Counselor at the Weill Cornell Medical College.
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Medicine and Genetics
This is part of a video series produced by the Marshfield Clinic about jobs in genetics. This section highlights jobs in the medical field, including: clinical molecular geneticist, genetic counselor, and pharmacogeneticist. The booklet can be found on ASHG’s website: www.ashg.org/education.
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Several genes have been discovered that for some families explain why cancer appears to run in the family. Individuals who carry a change, or mutation, in a hereditary cancer gene are at an increased risk to develop cancer or a second cancer. Currently, the most common inherited syndromes involve breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and colon cancer. In this video, UMGCC’s genetic counselor, Jessica Rispoli Joines, MGC, CGC, explains the importance of medical history in screening for cancer, what factors might put an individual at increased risk of hereditary cancer, and when genetic testing might be indicated. Related Links: University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center www.umgcc.org Genetic Counseling for Cancer www.umgcc.org Genetic Counseling FAQ www.umgcc.org Information for Patients www.umgcc.org Distributed by Tubemogul.
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Breast Cancer Metastasis Sites
In most people affected by cancer, these genetic changes happen after birth later in life. Breast Cancer Metastasis SitesIn Hereditary Cancer, the cancer is caused by a genetic mutation that the person was born with. Some cancers, such as breast, ovary and colon tend to be hereditary, but that doesn’t mean that you will develop a cancer in one of these areas if you have an immediate family member that has experienced the disease. Not all genetic mutations will develop into cancer, however, the mutation will increase the chance that the person will have a higher risk of developing cancer.
Only 10% of all breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary. Some of the factors that increase the occurrence of hereditary breast cancer are breast cancer before age 45, male breast cancer, cancer in both breasts and many cases of breast and/or ovarian cancer on one side of the family. If you have two relatives from the same side of your family with breast cancer, your risk of getting the disease can be increased. However it does not mean that you will definitely get breast cancer. You also must keep in mind that the risk for hereditary cancer can be passed on from your mother or your father. You must look at both sides of the family.
The two hereditary mutations that are looked at for breast cancer are BRCA1 and BRCA2. The test for these two genetic factors are done by taking a blood sample. Both of these BRCA mutations (BReast CAncer 1 and 2) are associated with breast and ovarian cancers.
So what factors should you consider when thinking about genetic testing? The age and onset of breast cancer. What other types of cancer are present. What other family members have/had cancer and their relationship to you. When you meet with a genetic counselor, they will go over your family’s medical history and information. This will include first-degree relatives, such as your parents, siblings and children. second-degree relatives like grandparents, aunts and uncles and your third-degree relatives or cousins.
Genetic testing can help a breast cancer patient make decisions about types of treatment and follow-care. A woman with the one of the BRCA mutations may decide to have both breasts removed completely to help reduce the risk of reoccurrence. Having your healthy breasts or ovaries removed to prevent cancer is called a “prophylactic surgery” and many women who test positive for the genetic mutations decide to go that route. They may just decide to take Tamoxifen to lower their risk.
Lung Cancer Secrets Revealed Click here
Not only can women take advantage of risk reduction techniques based on the results of their genetic testing, there are also increased surveillance tools that can help high risk individuals with early detection. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and ultrasound are two tools that can be combined with a mammogram to detect breast cancer in its most treatable stage.
Not every person who carries a genetic mutation will develop cancer. You must remember that genetic testing does not detect breast cancer and it will not tell you if you will get breast cancer in your lifetime. The decision to participate in genetic testing is very personal and there is no right or wrong choice in making the decision to have it done.
lung cancer treatment breakthroughs Click here
Breast Cancer – Hereditary Breast Cancer
Cancer involves mutations, or changes, in genes. In most people affected by cancer, these genetic changes happen after birth later in life. In Hereditary Cancer, the cancer is caused by a genetic mutation that the person was born with. Some cancers, such as breast, ovary and colon tend to be hereditary, but that doesn’t mean that you will develop a cancer in one of these areas if you have an immediate family member that has experienced the disease. Not all genetic mutations will develop into cancer, however, the mutation will increase the chance that the person will have a higher risk of developing cancer.
Only 10% of all breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary. Some of the factors that increase the occurrence of hereditary breast cancer are breast cancer before age 45, male breast cancer, cancer in both breasts and many cases of breast and/or ovarian cancer on one side of the family. If you have two relatives from the same side of your family with breast cancer, your risk of getting the disease can be increased. However it does not mean that you will definitely get breast cancer. You also must keep in mind that the risk for hereditary cancer can be passed on from your mother or your father. You must look at both sides of the family.
The two hereditary mutations that are looked at for breast cancer are BRCA1 and BRCA2. The test for these two genetic factors are done by taking a blood sample. Both of these BRCA mutations (BReast CAncer 1 and 2) are associated with breast and ovarian cancers.
So what factors should you consider when thinking about genetic testing? The age and onset of breast cancer. What other types of cancer are present. What other family members have/had cancer and their relationship to you. When you meet with a genetic counselor, they will go over your family’s medical history and information. This will include first-degree relatives, such as your parents, siblings and children. second-degree relatives like grandparents, aunts and uncles and your third-degree relatives or cousins.
Genetic testing can help a breast cancer patient make decisions about types of treatment and follow-care. A woman with the one of the BRCA mutations may decide to have both breasts removed completely to help reduce the risk of reoccurrence. Having your healthy breasts or ovaries removed to prevent cancer is called a “prophylactic surgery” and many women who test positive for the genetic mutations decide to go that route. They may just decide to take Tamoxifen to lower their risk.
Not only can women take advantage of risk reduction techniques based on the results of their genetic testing, there are also increased surveillance tools that can help high risk individuals with early detection. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and ultrasound are two tools that can be combined with a mammogram to detect breast cancer in its most treatable stage.
Not every person who carries a genetic mutation will develop cancer. You must remember that genetic testing does not detect breast cancer and it will not tell you if you will get breast cancer in your lifetime. The decision to participate in genetic testing is very personal and there is no right or wrong choice in making the decision to have it done.
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