Cancer Risk Assessment

For Patients with a Strong Personal or Family History of Cancer

Approximately 5-10% of cancers are due to very strong inherited risks. Typically, families that have such a risk will show a striking pattern of associated cancers in multiple members over successive generations and at earlier than average ages. A small family structure, risk reducing surgeries in key relatives and other factors can mask this obvious pattern, however. Clinical genetic testing is available for many inherited cancer syndromes and can be used to define the type and degree of increased risk and guide clinical management.  Ongoing challenges in cancer genetics include optimizing the management of patients with significantly increased cancer risk and identification of the more prevalent inherited factors that lead to moderately increased cancer risks.

At Helix Health our comprehensive cancer risk assessment begins with a thorough review of family history and includes pre- and post-test counseling for those patients who are appropriate candidates for genetic testing, as well as a detailed plan for cancer screening and prevention.

Click here for "Susan's story" of genetic testing for inherited breast cancer risk.

Continue reading about other indications for Helix Health consultation: