Shannon Medical Center | Health Beat | Winter 2019

Genetic testing for cancer risk: Is it right for you? If cancer seems to run in your family, genetic testing may be an option to consider. It can help you learn if you have inherited a higher risk for can- cer because of your genes. Genetic tests look for specific gene mutations (changes) that may increase cancer risk. Your doctor can help you decide if testing is right for you. If you do decide to get a test, see a genetic counselor first. They can, among other things, help you understand the pros and cons of testing, your test results if you do get tested, and how you might lower your risk for cancer. You may want to consider genetic testing if, for instance: ■  ■ Several of your first-degree relatives have had cancer. ■  ■ Many relatives on one side of your family had the same type of cancer. ■  ■ Members of your family have cancers (such as breast and ovarian) that are linked to a single gene mutation, such as a BRCA gene. ■  ■ Someone in your family has had more than one type of cancer or had cancer at an early age. ■  ■ A family member has a rare form of cancer—for instance, male breast cancer. ■  ■ One of your relatives has already tested positive for an inherited cancer gene. Source: American Cancer Society An ongoing relationship with a primary care provider can help you determine if you’re at increased risk for cancer. Our providers are accepting new patients. Call 325-481-2343 . SHARE YOUR HISTORY If someone in your family has or had cancer, tell your doctor. Again, if you are at increased risk because of your family history, it doesn’t mean you will get cancer.That can even be true if someone in your family has an inherited form of the disease. But in all cases, knowing that you have a family history of cancer can be an important heads-up. It may give you extra incentive to get screened and to adopt healthy habits that may help lower your cancer risk in some cases. Among the habits to try: eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains; main- taining a healthy weight; exercising regularly; and avoiding smoking. Sources: American Cancer Society; American Society of Clinical Oncology; National Cancer Institute COLORECTAL CANCER. Having just one parent, sibling or child with colorectal cancer or a history of polyps (abnormal growths that may develop into colorectal cancer over time) can increase your own risk for the disease. Having two or more relatives with colorectal cancer can raise that risk even more. You can also be at higher risk if several other relatives (such as cous- ins, aunts, uncles or grandparents) had colorectal cancer. As with breast cancer, colorectal cancer in the family is more likely to be a concern if it occurred at a younger age than usual, such as before 60. In rare cases, a strong family history can suggest hereditary colorec- tal cancer. One example is Lynch syndrome, which causes a person’s lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer to be as high as 80 percent. If you are at increased risk: Your doctor may want you to be screened earlier (before age 45) and more often than people at average risk. Screening helps find colorectal cancer early. It also lets doctors find and remove polyps before cancer may develop. People with an inherited colorectal cancer syndrome may sometimes start screening in their 20s or earlier. PROSTATE CANCER. Having a father, brother or son with prostate cancer can make a man’s own chances of getting prostate cancer two to three times higher than it is for other guys. And the more relatives with prostate cancer a man has, the more likely he may be to develop the disease himself. If you are at increased risk: You may want to discuss with your doctor the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening with a PSA blood test at an earlier age than is advised for most men—in your 40s instead of waiting until your 50s. These discussions about screening may begin at: ●  ● Age 40, if more than one of your first-degree relatives had early prostate cancer. ●  ● Age 45, if you have one close relative diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age or if you’re African American. Winter 2019 5