Don’t wait for symptoms
National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week
Cancer often grows undetected, with no symptoms until it is advanced. But what if you could get ahead of cancer before it ever develops? Knowing your risk of cancer can give you the opportunity to act much sooner.
Every year in the U.S., more than 1.6 million people are diagnosed with cancer. Among Dallas County women, breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, based on the 2022 Dallas County Community Health Needs Assessment. For some women, cancer risk is passed down through family genetics.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 5% to 10% of breast cancers and 10% to 15% of ovarian cancers are hereditary. Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome is a genetic condition caused by certain gene mutations inherited from the mother or father. When the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are changed or mutated, this increases a person’s risk of developing certain cancers. These mutations can be found through genetic testing, which helps evaluate the risk of hereditary cancer.
During National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week, September 29 to October 5, Parkland’s Cancer Genetic Counseling and Testing team highlights the importance of genetic risk assessments.
“Anyone who has a family history of cancer or notices a pattern of a cancer running in their family, whether that be breast, ovarian, colon or pancreatic cancer, should reach out to their doctor to talk about the option of genetic testing,” said Lan Chen, MS, Certified Genetic Counselor at Parkland Health and The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. “Especially a genetic counselor, who can provide that specific hereditary risk assessment.”
Genetic testing helps determine if patients are at an increased genetic risk of developing cancer. These tests can be done through a saliva or a blood sample. Once results are available, there are three types of results the genetic counselor will discuss with the patient.
“The first type of result is positive, meaning the lab found a genetic marker that predisposes a patient to hereditary cancer. If the results are positive, then we have a pretty in-depth conversation about what that means and what to do next. The second type of result is negative, meaning the lab did not find anything and there is not an increased risk of hereditary cancer,” explains Chen. “Sometimes we get back a third type of result, an inconclusive result. But up to 95% of inconclusive results eventually turn into negative results after further lab review.”
Chen mentions that these results help genetic counselors make recommendations for cancer prevention, surveillance and even treatment decisions. Though she emphasizes that a positive result does not mean the patient has been diagnosed with cancer, rather, the genetic marker found places them at a higher risk.
“Moving forward, those patients with a positive result need to monitor for any symptoms and follow all the prevention recommendations,” said Chen. “Instead of relying on a yearly mammogram screening alone, we encourage screenings with a mammogram and an MRI. Together, these screenings done alternately every six months offer the best chance to detect breast cancer early to treat it right away.”
Regular cancer screenings are essential for prevention, but if you have a family history of cancer, you should consider genetic testing. Talk to your doctor or a genetic counselor to learn your risk and explore options for early detection.
Parkland’s Cancer Genetic Counseling and Testing team consists of board-certified genetic counselors trained to identify high-risk patients and help them understand their risk of developing cancer, prevention, early detection and treatment options. For more information about genetic counseling services at Parkland, visit www.cancer.parklandhealth.org/cancer/genetic-counseling-and-testing.
Additionally, breast health services are available at Parkland’s Moody Center for Breast Health. The center provides a full range of breast screening and diagnostic services in one location, including mammograms, ultrasound, MRI, biopsies, stereotactic core biopsy and the most advanced technology with 3D mammography. The breast imaging center is connected to the breast clinic, home to breast surgeons, breast oncology providers and other care team members.
For more information about Parkland services, visit www.parklandhealth.org.
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