Genetic Testing and Counseling
Understanding Your Risk Through Genetic Testing
At the Providence Swedish Cancer Institute, we offer genetic testing to help you understand your cancer risk and make informed decisions about your health. By identifying inherited risk factors early, you and your care team can take steps to prevent cancer or catch it in its earliest stages, when treatment is most effective.
Our Approach
If you're concerned about your personal or family history of cancer, our board-certified genetic counselors can evaluate your risk and guide you through a personalized treatment plan with your long-term health in mind.
Some people have a higher risk of developing cancer due to inherited gene mutations. One goal of cancer genetics is to help individuals and their families understand the risks, so that they can make early lifestyle changes to improve their outcomes. The test results help board-certified genetics counselors create personalized treatment plans, which could include nutrition, supplements, and a schedule for regular screenings.
For patients who have been diagnosed with cancer, genetic testing can determine the risk of developing an additional type of cancer. It may also help oncology specialists identify the best surgical and medical treatment options for current treatment.
What to Expect from Genetic Testing
Through blood and saliva tests, cancer genetics help identify whether you carry gene mutations that cause certain cancers.
Before getting any lab work, your genetics counselor completes a full evaluation of your personal and family medical history. The results help inform your risk assessment and tell your genetics counselor which laboratory tests you need.
During your initial consultation, your cancer genetics counselor asks questions about your personal and family medical history.
In preparation, gather as much information as you can, including:
- Your medical records
- Previous genetic testing results (yours and members of your family)
- A list of family members who have or have had cancer, cancer type, age when diagnosed, outcomes
With this information, your genetics counselor evaluates whether testing makes sense for you, and if so, which tests to order.
Your genetic counselor uses information from your consultation and results of your lab tests to assess your risk of developing cancer based on hereditary or genetic factors. They work with you to create a personalized treatment plan for proactive cancer prevention and early detection.
Your treatment plan may include additional testing, such as imaging studies. It may also include routine clinical exams, prescriptions for preventive medications, and recommendations for changes in nutrition and exercise.
The benefits of cancer genetic testing cannot be overstated. Patients who learn they are high risk are able to make healthy lifestyle changes and begin preventive treatment that could reduce their risks. It could also lead to earlier diagnosis and the identification of targeted therapies.
Genetic Counseling at the Providence Swedish Cancer Institute
Learn more about what to expect from a genetic counseling session and find answers to frequently asked questions about genetic counseling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most cancers are random or environmental, not hereditary. In fact, only about 5-10% of cancers are the result of an inherited mutation in a cancer-preventative gene.
If you think you may be at high risk for cancer, talk to your doctor about your medical and family history. They can help determine if genetic testing or early screenings are right for you.
Genetic testing may still be beneficial if you’ve already been diagnosed with cancer. Learning you have a BRCA mutation for breast cancer, for instance, tells your cancer care team that you have a much higher risk of breast cancer recurring.
It may also inform your treatment plan, in the case of metastatic breast cancer and other cancers, such as ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic, that may respond better to certain therapies that target gene mutations.
Many, but not all, insurances cover the cost of genetic consultations. Before scheduling your appointment with a genetic counselor, check with your insurance provider to see if it's covered by your plan.
If you need to pay out of pocket, you’ll receive separate bills for the consultation and genetic testing.
- A consultation costs about $250.
- Costs for testing range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on which and how many tests you need.
Most people don't need to pay out of pocket if they meet their insurer’s criteria for testing.
Genetic testing screens for a long list of hereditary cancers, including breast, ovarian, colorectal, pancreatic, and prostate cancers. With more and more innovations in genetic testing, the list continues to grow.
The time it takes to receive genetic testing results can vary based on the type of test and how complex the analysis is. In most cases, results are available within 2-4 weeks, but some results may take longer.
Your care team provides an estimated timeline during your initial screening appointment. Once your results are back, they could ask you to schedule a follow-up appointment to discuss what the results mean for your health, potential next steps, and additional screening or treatment options.
If you’re identified as being at high risk for cancer, it doesn’t mean you will definitely develop cancer. It means you have a greater likelihood of developing cancer compared to the general population due to genetic mutations, family history, or other risk factors. However, lifestyle and environmental factors and random chance also play a role.
Your care team can discuss these factors with you and help you develop a personalized risk reduction plan, which may include more frequent screening, lifestyle modifications, or preventive measures to lower your risk and support early detection.
Some find it helpful to have a support person, such as a friend, spouse, sibling or relative at a genetics consultation. They can provide an extra set of ears or emotional support. It’s a personal decision if you’d like someone to accompany you. We do encourage you to keep the content of the discussion in mind. During a genetics consultation, we discuss your personal medical and family history, and in some cases, genetic test results. Please be aware that your support person will be present during this discussion.