News You Can Use A monthly newsletter from the Cancer Learning Center March 2011 – Issue 68


Genetic Counseling and Testing Genetic counseling and testing can be helpful tools for families with a strong history of cancer. Te American Cancer Society estimates about 10 percent of all cancers result from inherited factors that increase the risk of developing the disease.


What is genetic counseling?


Genetic counseling can help individuals or families learn more about their risk for cancer. Genetic counselors have extensive training that qualifies them to study family medical histories and recommend appropriate cancer screening and genetic testing for individuals in those families.


Should I get genetic counseling?


Not everyone needs genetic counseling, but individuals and families with inherited cancer risk can benefit from it. Factors that suggest an inherited risk may be present include the following:


• More than one close family member (parents, siblings, children) with the same type of cancer


• More than one type of cancer in the same family member


• A family member who developed cancer at a younger age than average


• A family member with a rare type of cancer


Not everyone needs genetic counseling, but those in families with inherited cancer risk can benefit from it.


What is genetic testing?


Genetic tests can find damage to the DNA that may increase the risk of cancer and identify family members who may be at increased risk. Genetic testing cannot predict whether or not cancer will actually develop. Advice from a genetic counselor, along with information from genetic testing, can provide individuals and families who have a higher risk with special recommendations for cancer prevention and screening.


Te Cancer Learning Center


(CLC) is a free resource library with books, CDs, and videos on the first floor of


Huntsman Cancer Institute 801-581-6365 1-888-424-2100


www.huntsmancancer.org/clc


CANCER LEARNING CENTER RESOURCES


Books


Davis’s Pocket Guide to Herbs and Supplements


by Catherine Ulbricht


Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book by Susan M. Love


Johns Hopkins Patients’ Guide to Pancreatic Cancer


by Nita Ahuja and JoAnne Coleman


Previvors: Facing the Breast Cancer Gene and Making Life-Changing Decisions by Dina Roth Port


Beauty in the Building


This watercolor by Hal Burrows can be found on the sixth floor of Huntsman Cancer Hospital. Art in HCI buildings was donated for patients to enjoy. For more information about donating fine art to HCI, please contact Roni Whittle at 801-587-9315.


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