High Risk & Cancer Genetics

Erlanger East Hospital
1635 Gunbarrel Road
Building C, Suite 300
Chattanooga, TN 37421

Improving Cancer Treatment and Screening

The Erlanger High Risk & Cancer Genetics Program identifies and manages individuals with genetic predispositions to developing cancer, including those with an increased risk due to ancestry, family history or personal risk factors. We provide a range of diagnostic and support services including:

Cancer Risk Assessment Counseling
Hereditary Cancer Risk Assessment
Genetic Testing

Cancer is a common disease with complex causes, many of which are not completely understood. Advances in cancer genetics have led to the identification of genes that, when altered, cause a significantly increased risk for certain cancers. Although most cases of cancer are not due to single, inherited gene alterations, approximately 5-10% of cancers are hereditary.

What to Expect

An Overview from Our Navigators

Learn how our team evaluates genetic susceptibility to cancer using the GIA app and health history. We also discuss when to pursue genetic testing and our approach to long-term follow-up.

Features Often Seen in Hereditary Cancer Syndromes

In families with an inherited susceptibility to cancer, not all members of the family are at the same risk of developing cancer, and the risk may be increased for more than one type of cancer. Genetic testing and counseling can help individuals and families better understand their cancer risks and the available options for cancer screening, risk reduction, and genetic testing (when appropriate).

Cancer occurring at younger ages than usual
Several relatives with the same or related cancers
More than one type of cancer in the same individual
Individuals with rare cancers, such as male breast cancer

Are you at an increased risk for cancer?

Take a Risk Assessment

This HIPAA-compliant virtual chat will gather your personal and family history to help identify any genetic predispositions you may have to developing cancer. If we find that the results of your questionnaire require further conversation, a nurse navigator will contact you to walk through the results and discuss next steps. By shedding light on any cancer risk, we are able to make informed decisions about your health and focus on risk-reduction strategies for cancer prevention and/or early detection.

Tailored treatment for patients with cancer

Genetic test results can potentially affect a patient’s surgical management and other treatment options. For example, a woman with newly diagnosed breast cancer who is a candidate for genetic testing may learn from her genetic test results that she is at an increased risk for a second breast cancer. This may help determine what kind of surgery is most appropriate for her current diagnosis, in order to minimize future risk.

Better screening for those with a family history of cancer

Genetic test results showing an increased risk for certain cancers could lead to changes in a person’s cancer screening regimen. This may include performing certain screening tests more frequently and beginning at an earlier age. For example, if a person is known to have an alteration in a gene that puts them at a higher chance of colon cancer, it may be recommended that they have colonoscopies every year or two starting in young adulthood. In some cases, there may be medication or surgical options to lower the risk of cancer.