Genetics plays a major role in 5-10 percent of all cancers, according to the National Cancer Institute. The Cancer Genetics Center at Orlando Health Cancer Institute is dedicated to helping you and your family learn about your potential risk for a hereditary form of cancer, with possible genetic testing, so that you can make informed decisions about managing your health.

We provide genetic counseling to help individuals determine their risk for inheriting mutations that may cause certain types of hereditary cancer and to take steps to manage those risks. Signs that your family may have a hereditary cancer include:

Cancer diagnosis before age 50
Multiple close family members with the same type of cancer or related cancers
Two or more cancer diagnoses in the same individual, such as breast cancer in both breasts
Certain rare tumors or cancers, such as male breast cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer or metastatic prostate cancer
Your family ethnicity is tied to a specific type of cancer (for example, Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry is linked to ovarian and breast cancers).

If you or your family tree shows these signs of hereditary cancer, you may benefit from genetic counseling.

Hereditary Risk of Cancer

While most cancer is not hereditary in nature, approximately 5-10 percent of all cancer is caused by mutations in specific genes passed from parents to children. The Cancer Genetics and High Risk Care Clinic at Orlando Health Cancer Institute is offering screenings to identify individuals whose personal and/or family history may suggest a hereditary form of cancer. Knowing if your family has a hereditary form of cancer can help you make important medical decisions, such as when to start certain cancer screenings.

Disclaimer: There are a number of risk factors that can play a role in cancer development including

environmental factors, age, gender, family history, and genetics. This questionnaire is intended to identify families who may have a hereditary form of the most common cancers. However, it is not an exhaustive screening tool and may not be able to identify all families with a hereditary form of cancer. We recommend that all individuals consult with their physicians in regard to their cancer risks and the most appropriate screening regimen.

Take the Screen Questionnaire

Answering the following questions can help you determine if genetic testing and counseling may be beneficial for you and your family. Once completed, you will be prompted with the appropriate next steps.

Genetic Counseling Services

At the Cancer Genetics Center, you will work with an experienced, board-certified genetic counselor to determine your family’s risk for hereditary forms of cancer. Your genetic counselor will:

Review your personal and family medical history
Assess and explain the risk for hereditary forms of cancer
Describe the benefits, risks and limitations of genetic testing
Interpret your genetic test result and explain what it means for your family

Genetic counseling typically requires up to two visits. During your initial appointment, a genetic counselor will analyze your personal and family history, explain hereditary cancer syndromes, review the risks, benefits and limitations of genetic testing and discuss the most appropriate genetic testing options for you.

If genetic testing is appropriate and desired, the process of genetic testing and/or insurance pre-authorization can be started during the first appointment. At your second appointment, your genetic counselor will share the test results, explain your risk of developing cancer and discuss your medical management options.

Genetic Testing Benefits

A positive genetic test result doesn’t mean that you will definitely develop cancer, only that you are at an increased risk for cancer. If your genetic test result shows an increased risk for cancer, our clinicians will work with you to develop a proactive plan for managing your health. We will share this plan with your team of physicians.

Our High-Risk Breast Cancer Clinic offers personalized care to women who have an increased risk of breast cancer due to personal history, genetic conditions, family history or other risk factors. Doctors in our other specialty cancer centers are also available to develop proactive preventive care plans for individuals with a genetic risk for other types of cancer.

Other members of your family may also want to have genetic testing done to determine their individual risk for cancer and to learn more about cancer prevention.

Preparing for Genetic Counseling

Before your first genetic counseling appointment, you will be sent a questionnaire to complete to provide us information about your family's history of cancer. It will also help us to learn and understand your health concerns.

To schedule a genetic counseling appointment, please call (321) 841- GENE (4363) or email Cancer.Genetics@OrlandoHealth.com.