Cancer Genetics

Signs of Inherited Risk:

You may have a higher inherited risk if you or a family member have had:

• Myelodysplastic syndromes diagnosed at a younger age
• Leukemia with a family history of similar conditions
• Multiple relatives with blood or bone marrow disorders
• Personal or family history of low blood counts or bone marrow failure

Signs of Inherited Risk:

Most breast cancers happen without a clear inherited cause. However, some people have genetic changes that increase their risk for breast or ovarian cancer. You may have a higher inherited risk if you or a family member has had:

• Breast cancer diagnosed at a younger age (≤ 50 years of age)
• Two separate breast cancers (ex. Bilateral breast cancer)
• Triple negative breast Cancer
• Metastatic breast cancer
• Male breast cancer
• Three relatives on one side with breast and/or prostate cancer
• Breast and ovarian cancer
• Breast and pancreatic cancer
• Lobular breast cancer and stomach cancer

Genetic Risk & Prevention:

For people with inherited risk factors, genetic services can help guide both prevention and treatment decisions. Genetic testing may show if you or your family members have a higher risk for certain cancers, including breast cancer.

• Enhanced cancer screening – Earlier or more frequent screening, such as mammograms or breast MRIs, to help detect cancer as early as possible.
• Risk-reducing surgery – Procedures such as mastectomy or removal of breast tissue that can lower cancer risk in high-risk individuals.
• Targeted therapy based on genetic results – Treatment options guided by your genetic results, including medicines like PARP inhibitors for certain inherited gene changes, such as BRCA mutations.
• Additional cancer risk management – Screening or prevention strategies for other cancers linked to inherited gene changes.

Signs of Inherited Risk:

Most cases are not inherited, but certain genetic conditions can increase risk. Identifying risk factors may help guide screening recommendations, prevention strategies, and treatment decisions. You may have a higher inherited risk if you or a family member has had:

• Colorectal or gastric cancer diagnosed before age 50
• Pancreatic cancer diagnosed at any age
• At least 3 individuals on the same side of the family with colorectal, gastric, endometrial, ovarian, or urothelial cancer
• Greater than 10 total colon polyps on colonoscopy
• Colorectal or stomach cancer with abnormal tumor testing (such as IHC or MSI), which may suggest an inherited condition

Genetic Risk & Prevention

If you have a family history or inherited risk, genetic services can help guide your care. Genetic testing can show if you or your family members have a higher risk for colorectal or other gastrointestinal cancers. Based on your results, your care team may recommend:

• Enhanced cancer screening such as younger, more frequent colonoscopies or upper endoscopy
• In certain cases, additional imaging or screenings for other types of cancer
• Discussion with appropriate specialists regarding risk-reducing measures

Signs of Inherited Risk:

While most skin cancers are related to environmental factors like sun exposure, certain inherited conditions may increase the risk. Early detection and regular skin checks are important for prevention and treatment. You may have a higher inherited risk if you or a family member have had:

• More than 2 invasive cutaneous melanomas
• Multiple dysplastic moles and melanoma
• Melanoma and pancreatic cancer
• Melanoma and astrocytomas
• Uveal melanoma, mesothelioma, and kidney cancer
• Multiple BCCs, pitting of the palms and soles of the feet, and jaw cysts
• Sebaceous adenomas and colon or uterine cancer

Signs of Inherited Risk:

In some cases, inherited genetic changes can increase the risk of developing certain gynecologic cancers. Understanding whether a cancer is inherited or not may help guide screening, prevention, and treatment options. Genetic testing and tumor testing can provide additional information to support care decisions when appropriate. You may have a higher inherited risk if you or a family member have had:

• Ovarian cancer diagnosed at any age
• Uterine cancer diagnosed before age 50
• Multiple family members diagnosed with ovarian, breast, prostate, and/or pancreatic cancer
• Multiple family members diagnosed with ovarian, uterine, and/or colorectal cancer
• Uterine cancer with abnormal tumor testing (such as IHC or MSI), which may suggest an inherited condition

Signs of Inherited Risk:

Most cases are not inherited. In some individuals, genetic conditions may increase risk. Understanding risk factors can help guide monitoring and treatment decisions. You may have a higher inherited risk if you or a family member have had:

• Paraganglioma or pheochromocytoma at any age
• Duodenal or pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor and primary hyperparathyroidism, pituitary adenomas, and/or carcinoid tumors
• Adrenocortical carcinoma at any age

Genetic Risk & Prevention:

For patients with inherited risk factors, genetic services help guide prevention and treatment decisions. Genetic testing can identify if a patient and their family members are at an increased risk for different types of cancer, including neuroendocrine tumors.

• Increased and potentially younger screening including imaging and bloodwork
• Possible screening or management recommendations for other types of cancers/tumors

Signs of Inherited Risk:

Most rare cancers or tumors are not inherited. However, certain genetic conditions can increase the likelihood of developing uncommon or multiple cancers or tumors over a lifetime. You may have a higher inherited risk if you or a family member have had:

• Adrenocortical carcinoma at any age
• Retinoblastoma
• Medullary thyroid cancer
• Hemangioblastomas
• Schwannomas, meningiomas, and/or ependymomas

Signs of Inherited Risk:

Most urologic cancers occur without an inherited cause. In some cases, genetic factors may increase risk and influence screening or treatment options. Genetic testing and tumor testing can provide additional information to support care decisions when appropriate. You may have a higher inherited risk if you or a family member have had:

• Metastatic or high risk prostate cancer
• Multiple family members with prostate, breast, pancreatic, and/or ovarian cancer
• Kidney cancer diagnosed before age 46
• Bilateral kidney cancer
• Certain rare types of kidney tumors

Genetic Risk and Prevention:

For patients with inherited risk factors, genetic services help guide prevention and treatment decisions. Genetic testing can identify if a patient and their family members are at an increased risk for different types of cancer, including urologic cancer.

• Increased and potentially younger screening including imaging and bloodwork
• Targeted therapy based on genetic results – Uses gene information to guide treatment options, including medicines like PARP inhibitors for certain inherited gene changes (such as BRCA mutations).
• Possible screening or management recommendations for other types of cancer

Before Testing:

A blood or saliva sample is collected.

After Testing:

Results are shared in a follow-up visit.

Before Testing

We will discuss which relatives may qualify.

After Testing

We provide letters and/or direct guidance to help relatives seek care.

Before Counseling:

You will be asked to share your personal health and family history. It can be helpful to gather details about cancers in your family, including the type of cancer and the age of diagnosis. No other special preparation is typically needed.

After Counseling:

You will receive a clear summary of your risks and recommendations for the next steps. If appropriate, genetic testing may be offered. Your care team will also explain how results could affect your family members and how they can pursue testing if needed.

Before Testing

We review your personal and family history and explain the benefits, limits, and possible results of testing. You will have time to ask questions and decide if testing feels right for you.

After Testing

We discuss your results in clear, simple language and will explain what the results mean for you and your family. If needed, we create a care plan or recommend next steps.

Conditions Addressed:

• Strong family cancer history
• Early cancer diagnosis
• Multiple cancers

Before the Assessment:

You may gather family health details.

After the Assessment:

You will learn if testing or early screening is advised.

Before Support:

You may prepare questions about your risks.

After Support:

You leave with a clear plan for screening and prevention.