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About five to 10 percent of all cancer is due to inherited genetic mutations that can predispose you to certain types of tumors, such as colon, breast or ovarian cancer. Considering your cancer risk can be stressful, but knowing your personal health profile can empower you to stay healthy throughout your lifetime.
At the Genetic Risk Assessment Program at the Cancer Center at Tufts Medical Center, our experienced physicians and genetic counselors provide comprehensive testing and counseling to help you understand your cancer risk and preventative options.
Genetic testing is complex, and the results can be hard to understand. Our goal is to give you the information you need to make informed decisions about what's best for you and your family.
Our experts recommend genetic risk assessment for patients who have had:
Prior to testing, your genetics professional will sit down with you to review your personal medical history and your family's medical history going back several generations. Then you'll decide together if genetic testing is right for you.
There are many options for patients who learn that they have an increased cancer risk due to their genetics. Our team works closely with Tufts MC doctors in areas such as the Cancer Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radiology and Gastroenterology so that we can present you with a range of personalized, state-of-the-art options for managing your cancer risk.
Risk-reduction options may include:
After testing, your doctor and genetic counselor work with you to develop a preventative care plan that's personalized to your health history and risk profile.
At Tufts MC, we're committed to keeping health care affordable so you can live the healthy life you deserve.
Insurance coverage for genetic testing varies. We can work with you and your health insurance provider to determine what's covered under your plan and keep the cost for genetic testing as low as possible.
Primary care physicians play an important role in the prevention and early diagnosis of cancer — especially for patients with a genetic cancer predisposition syndrome. We value our relationship with PCPs, and we're committed to communicating with you throughout the genetic testing process.
We have provided this helpful Cancer Risk Assessment questionnaire that you can give to your patient or refer to during their visit to determine if they need to be referred to our Cancer Genetics program. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions as to whether or not your patient is an appropriate candidate for genetic counseling.