Prevention
Cancer Screening Guide
The most important tool you have in the fight against cancer is early detection. Our Cancer Screening Guide chart is a free reference guide to cancer screening tests – for your peace of mind.
If you have any questions about these screenings, or additional screenings not listed in this article, please consult your physician. These are guidelines only; your physician will personalize these and other tests to fit your specific needs and medical history.
Screening Guidelines (PDF)
Mammography Screening Guidelines
According the American Cancer Society guidelines, you should begin annual screening by age 40. Women over the age of 50 should be assured that a traditional mammogram is equal to a digital mammogram. However, women who fall into one of the three categories (under 50, pre-menopausal and those with dense breast tissue) might want to schedule their mammograms at facilities using digital mammography.
More about Breast Health
Genetic Cancer Risk: What You Should Know
Following are five things everyone should know about cancer genetic testing. If you would like to learn more, please call (469) 726-6123.
1. Some people inherit a higher predisposition for developing cancer than others. A person’s genetic make-up can increase the likelihood of developing certain types of cancer. Changes in genes called mutations are often associated with increased risk for cancers of the breast, ovary, prostate, pancreas and many other organs. Two genes called BRCA1 (breast cancer 1) and BRCA2 (breast cancer 2) are commonly linked to increased risk for breast, ovary, and other cancers. According to the National Cancer Institute (www.cancer.gov), approximately 13 percent of women (1 in 8) will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. For women with an altered BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, that number jumps to as high as 85 percent. Men with a BRCA alteration face an increased risk of breast, prostate, and other cancers.
2. Early onset cancer is an indicator of possible inherited cancer risk. Developing cancer prior to age 50 may suggest an inherited cancer risk. Genetic testing is recommended for individuals with early onset cancer, as well as those with more than one cancer diagnosis, a strong family history of cancer, or rare cancers such as male breast cancer or fallopian tube cancer. Individuals with Ashkenazi (central or eastern European) Jewish ancestry are five times more likely to have an altered BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene and are encouraged to seek evaluation. Norwegian, Dutch and Icelandic ethnic populations also have a higher predisposition.
3. Genetic testing can help you prevent cancer and influence your treatment options. Genetic testing not only assesses your predisposition to develop cancer; it can give you the opportunity to be proactive, influence your treatment decisions and opt for more aggressive medical treatment. Although the actual genetic testing procedure involves only a simple blood draw, genetic counseling includes much more. The process starts with taking a detailed family history and creating a diagram or “pedigree” of your family cancer history. The pedigree lists as many relatives as possible and notes any who have suffered or are currently suffering from cancer. The family history profile is fairly extensive to attempt to identify any cancer gene mutations that may be carried in the family. The counselor then evaluates the pedigree for possible genetic syndromes and offers genetic testing when appropriate. Education and supportive counseling are also important parts of the counseling session.
Take the fictional example of Alyssa, a woman who develops breast cancer in her early 30s. Her oncologist recommends a lumpectomy (removing only the part of the breast with the tumor) but first advises her to undergo genetic counseling because two other family members also have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Alyssa is found to carry an altered BRCA1 gene. Because she is predisposed to developing breast cancer, her oncologist gives her the option of a mastectomy (removing the entire breast) in order to prevent additional cancers from forming in the future. Identifying Alyssa’s inherited cancer risk influenced her treatment and will likely affect her long-term outcome.
We conduct testing for all types of inherited cancer syndromes (breast, colon, ovary, etc.), including those with childhood onset such as retinoblastoma and von-Hippel-Lindau syndrome. Among women, the most frequently requested analysis is for BRCA1 and BRCA2. We also receive frequent requests for analyses for two syndromes that are associated with a significantly increased risk for colon cancer, Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colon Cancer (HNPCC) and Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP). If a mutation is identified, our counselor reviews current recommendations for medical management.
4. Genetic testing occasionally can lead to more questions than answers. Our counselor and support staff help create a clear understanding of the advantages, possible disadvantages and limitations of genetic testing. Genetic testing can sometimes lead to more questions than answers, as in cases where genetic test results are uninformative or ambiguous. Sometimes a patient with a strong family history of cancer receives “negative” results. In actuality, they may carry a mutation in a gene that has not yet been discovered or one that cannot yet be detected using current technologies. In these circumstances, genetic testing may not provide the answers a patient is seeking.
5. The genetic counseling program at Methodist Richardson Cancer Center – UT Southwestern Medical Center brings support and expertise about inherited cancer risks directly to our community. The Methodist Richardson staff welcomes anyone interested in learning more about potential inherited cancer risks to call (469) 726-6123.
The Genetic Risk Assessment form can be used to determine your risk and/or your family member’s risk of developing cancer. After filling out the questionnaire, call (469) 726-6123 to schedule an appointment or speak to the genetic counselor.
