2022 Paint the Paper Pink

Page 49 2022 PAINT THE PAPER PINK Lincoln Daily News Oct/Nov 2022 to a higher risk of BRCA gene mutations) • A physical finding that’s linked to an inherited cancer (such as having many colon polyps) • A known genetic mutation in one or more family members who have already had genetic testing • Lab tests of your cancer cells that show features that might be linked to an inherited gene mutation If you are concerned about a pattern of cancer in your family, cancer you’ve had in the past, or other cancer risk factors, you may want to talk to a health care provider about whether genetic counseling and testing might be a good option for you. You need to know your family history and what kinds of tests are available. For some types of cancer, no known mutations have been linked to an increased risk. What is genetic counseling? Genetic counseling gives you information that you and your family can use to make decisions about whether to get genetic testing. Genetic counselors have special training in the field of genetic counseling. Most are board-certified, and some might have a license depending on the rules in their state. Some doctors, advanced practice oncology nurses, social workers, and other health professionals may also provide genetic counseling, although they might have different levels of training in this field. If you are offered genetic counseling, it’s fair to ask about their training in this area. Before and after genetic testing, genetic counseling can help you understand what your test results might mean, your risk of developing cancer, and what you can do about this risk. It is your decision to have testing and what steps you take after. Before you get tested... It’s important to find out how useful genetic testing might be for you before you do it. Talk to your health care provider and plan on getting genetic counseling before the actual test. This will help you know what to expect. Your counselor can also tell you about the risks and benefits of the test, what the results might mean, and what your options are. Your health care provider can refer you to a genetic counselor in your area, or you can find a list of certified genetic counselors on the website of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. Other types of genetic tests Testing cancer cells for gene changes Sometimes after a person has been diagnosed with cancer, the doctor will order tests on a sample of cancer cells to look for certain gene or protein changes. These tests can sometimes give information on a person’s outlook (prognosis), and they might also help tell if certain types of treatment may be useful. These types of tests look for acquired gene changes only in the cancer cells. These tests are not the same as the tests used to find out about inherited cancer risk. CONTINUED u