Cancer Genetic Counseling
Cancer genetic counseling is a communication process that helps patients understand genetic information and how it affects their cancer risks and management. Genetic counselors and geneticists are medical professionals who provide individualized cancer risk assessment and management recommendations to individuals and families at increased risk for cancer due to their personal and/or family history of cancer.
The goals of the Cancer Genetic Program are:
To determine the likelihood that there is an inherited risk of cancer in a family
- To conduct a comprehensive and yet cancer-specific genetic evaluation, including family history analysis, risk assessment, and physical examination if necessary
- To coordinate genetic testing, when appropriate, and explain implications of genetic test results
- To provide information regarding appropriate research studies
- To provide information about relevant local, regional, and national support organizations
How do I know if the cancer in my family is hereditary?
Checklist:
- Multiple relatives on the same side of the family withvthe same types of cancer (or related types of cancer, such as breast & ovarian or colon andvuterine/endometrial)
- Cancer that occurs under the age of 50 years
- Rare cancers
- A known cancer predisposition gene in the family
- Precancerous lesions in multiple family members
- Concern about personal or family cancer risk
- Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
The decision to have genetic counseling and/or testing is a very individual one. One of the goals of a genetic counseling session is to help the patient work through the decision-making process of genetic testing. If you and your family meet one or more of the above criteria, you may want to consider contacting the Cancer Genetic Program.
What does genetic testing involve?
If, after meeting and discussing their family history with a genetic counselor and geneticist, an individual decides to pursue genetic testing, a small sample of blood is drawn and then sent to a laboratory for analysis. Results take approximately three weeks from the day of the blood draw. A follow-up appointment will be made to discuss the results in person.
Who is the most appropriate person to test first in my family?
An individual with cancer is the most appropriate person to be tested. However, any individual in a family may benefit from genetic counseling to discuss their family’s risks.
Will health insurance pay for genetic counseling and genetic testing?
There are no fees for the actual genetic counseling sessions. This service is provided by the
Brown Cancer Center.
In many instances, insurance companies will pay for all or a portion of the cost of genetic testing. Many genetic testing laboratories have a process of pre-certification available, so that the individual can know ahead of time whether or not their insurance company will cover the cost of testing.
Legislation at the national level prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage or increasing premiums based on genetic testing results.
How to contact us:
The Cancer Genetic Clinic is held on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month on the 3rd floor of the Brown Cancer Center. The Brown Cancer Center’s address is:
529 S. Jackson St.
Louisville, KY 40202.
To schedule an appointment, you or your physician may contact us at 502.852.5334.
Our Team
The Cancer Genetic Counseling team members are part of the University of Louisville’s Genetics Unit located in the Weisskopf Child Evaluation Center. The Cancer Genetics Clinic is located in the Brown Cancer Center.
Genetic Counselors
Pamela L. Farnsworth, M.S.
Kelly E. Jackson, MS., C.G.C.
Leah M. Robison, M.S.
Geneticists
Alexander Asomoah, M.D., Ph.D.
Gordon C. Gowans, M.D.
Joseph H. Hersh, M.D.
Cancer Genetic Counseling
Cancer genetic counseling is a communication process that helps patients understand genetic information and how it affects their cancer risks and management. Genetic counselors and geneticists are medical professionals who provide individualized cancer risk assessment and management recommendations to individuals and families at increased risk for cancer due to their personal and/or family history of cancer.
The goals of the Cancer Genetic Program are:
To determine the likelihood that there is an inherited risk of cancer in a family
- To conduct a comprehensive and yet cancer-specific genetic evaluation, including family history analysis, risk assessment, and physical examination if necessary
- To coordinate genetic testing, when appropriate, and explain implications of genetic test results
- To provide information regarding appropriate research studies
- To provide information about relevant local, regional, and national support organizations
How do I know if the cancer in my family is hereditary?
Checklist:
- Multiple relatives on the same side of the family withvthe same types of cancer (or related types of cancer, such as breast & ovarian or colon andvuterine/endometrial)
- Cancer that occurs under the age of 50 years
- Rare cancers
- A known cancer predisposition gene in the family
- Precancerous lesions in multiple family members
- Concern about personal or family cancer risk
- Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
The decision to have genetic counseling and/or testing is a very individual one. One of the goals of a genetic counseling session is to help the patient work through the decision-making process of genetic testing. If you and your family meet one or more of the above criteria, you may want to consider contacting the Cancer Genetic Program.
What does genetic testing involve?
If, after meeting and discussing their family history with a genetic counselor and geneticist, an individual decides to pursue genetic testing, a small sample of blood is drawn and then sent to a laboratory for analysis. Results take approximately three weeks from the day of the blood draw. A follow-up appointment will be made to discuss the results in person.
Who is the most appropriate person to test first in my family?
An individual with cancer is the most appropriate person to be tested. However, any individual in a family may benefit from genetic counseling to discuss their family’s risks.
Will health insurance pay for genetic counseling and genetic testing?
There are no fees for the actual genetic counseling sessions. This service is provided by the
Brown Cancer Center.
In many instances, insurance companies will pay for all or a portion of the cost of genetic testing. Many genetic testing laboratories have a process of pre-certification available, so that the individual can know ahead of time whether or not their insurance company will cover the cost of testing.
Legislation at the national level prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage or increasing premiums based on genetic testing results.
How to contact us:
The Cancer Genetic Clinic is held on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month on the 3rd floor of the Brown Cancer Center. The Brown Cancer Center’s address is:
529 S. Jackson St.
Louisville, KY 40202.
To schedule an appointment, you or your physician may contact us at 502.852.5334.
Our Team
The Cancer Genetic Counseling team members are part of the University of Louisville’s Genetics Unit located in the Weisskopf Child Evaluation Center. The Cancer Genetics Clinic is located in the Brown Cancer Center.
Genetic Counselors
Pamela L. Farnsworth, M.S.
Kelly E. Jackson, MS., C.G.C.
Leah M. Robison, M.S.
Geneticists
Alexander Asomoah, M.D., Ph.D.
Gordon C. Gowans, M.D.
Joseph H. Hersh, M.D.