Genetic Counseling
Most cancers are part of the aging process and their causes can be due to environmental and lifestyle influences. Inherited genetic mutations are responsible for approximately ten percent of all cancers. A person who has a close relative with certain cancers may have an increased risk of developing the same malignancy. The NYP Queens Cancer Center has a well-established genetic counseling program that provides the latest cancer risk information and testing to individuals with a personal or family history of cancer.
Genetic Counseling and Testing
A genetic counselor is a health professional with specialized graduate education, training, and experience in understanding genetics and guiding at-risk individuals in personally tailored cancer prevention plans.
Genetic testing may help determine if you or your family members are at a higher risk of developing cancer. The tests, along with a full evaluation of family history, help determine who might be positive for a known mutation.
These at-risk individuals are then referred to the appropriate medical specialists, such as breast or colorectal surgeons, dermatologists, gastroenterologists, urologists, pulmonologists, gynecologic oncologists, and radiologists who optimize the prevention and care plans.
Experts in the Field
Our genetic counselors are certified professionals with specialized training in both medical genetics and counseling. They thoroughly evaluate an individual’s personal medical history along with that of family members. Based on this evaluation the appropriate specialized state-of-art genetic testing is obtained to identify genetic mutations that may increase the risk for cancer development. A personalized plan is then developed so that the appropriate screening measures are put into place.
Multidisciplinary Team Approach
The NYP Queens genetic counseling program works with specialists in various medical fields that provide comprehensive and personalized care that is recommended based on the genetic assessment. This well-coordinated process provides all of the patient’s needs without traveling far from home.
Support for You and Your Family
As a patient at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens you have access to extensive resources that will help you and your family successfully assess cancer risk. Our team of experts are fully committed to providing the best care available, utilizing all recent advances and providing support from diagnosis to a lifetime of monitoring once the prescribed treatment plan is complete.