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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 CARE app and health history. We also discuss when to pursue genetic testing and our approach to long-term follow-up.
Have you been screened for future cancer risk?
The CARE (Comprehensive Assessment Risk and Education) Program™ offered in partnership with Ambry Genetics is a platform designed to help determine whether you are at increased risk for cancer. If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, a Cancer Risk Assessment might be helpful:
- Have you or a family member been diagnosed with cancer at a young age (<50 years old)?
- Have three or more people on the same side of the family had cancer?
- Have you or a family member been diagnosed with more than one kind of cancer?
- Has anyone in your family been found to have a cancer gene mutation?
- Have you or a family member been diagnosed with cancers that are usually rare, like ovarian, pancreatic, or male breast cancer?
- Have you or a family member had 10 or more colon polyps?
- Are you of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry?
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.
FAQ Videos
When Should I Come to Your Clinic?
There are two things, personal history of cancer and a family history of cancer, that are really important to us. If you have been diagnosed with cancer earlier than the age of 50, that is something that we really care about. Your family history is important if you have multiple cases of the same types of cancer in your family. Think breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer. And we are also very concerned if you have a family history of ovarian or pancreatic cancer. But truly, if your family history seems to be significant for cancer, it's worth a discussion with your primary care provider.
Does Breast Density Affect My Risk?
Yes. Dense breast tissue can increase your risk for breast cancer for two reasons. It can make mammograms more difficult to read, and the dense tissue itself is more likely to turn into cancer as opposed to fatty tissue.
Do I Have to Have Cancer to Get Genetic Testing?
Actually, no, you do not have to have cancer in order to qualify for genetic testing. That is one of the things that can help qualify you. But another big thing is your family history. So, if you have a family history of any type of cancer, especially multiple cancers or people diagnosed with cancer at young ages like under 50, then it is definitely worth a discussion to see if you would qualify for genetic testing.
Can I Be High-Risk with Negative Genetics?
You can still be high-risk. So, in our office, if we draw your blood and we find that you have no genetic mutations, part of our risk assessment includes going through your family history and your personal history to see if you qualify for increased screening or any appropriate referrals. So yes, you definitely can still be high-risk with negative genetic testing.
How Do Home Genetic Tests Stack Up?
That's a great question. So, genetic testing through the mail is called direct-to-consumer testing. And everything that we test in the office would certainly test what you are tested on at home. But in the office we will test far more than what you're tested for at home. So, we can get deeper into the gene and test far more genes than you would get from that box at your house.
Can I still be Seen at Your Clinic if I Already Know I have a Genetic Mutation?
Absolutely. We actually prefer that you come to see us at our clinic so we can help you manage your specific gene mutation. We would look up the most up-to-date guidelines and make sure you're seeing the correct providers, and staying up to date on all the things that we need to do for you.
Will Genetic Testing Affect my Life Insurance?
Yes, it is true. So, your health care insurance is protected. However, if you don't currently have a cancer diagnosis, it would be important to go ahead and have your personal policies in place, such as life insurance, long-term care, and disability.