Genetic Counseling
If you meet one or more of the risk factors for cancer, you should seek genetic counseling with a Certified Genetic Counselor. To help you prepare for a cancer risk assessment with a genetic counselor, you should obtain the following:
- Information about family members who have had cancer
- Specific cancer diagnosis (second primary cancer vs. recurrent cancer)
- Age at cancer diagnosis
- Copies of any medical reports available (pathology reports, genetic test results, death certificates, etc.)
- Information about family members who have not had cancer
- Current age or age of death in family members diagnosed with cancer
- Screening practices (mammography, CA-125, age screening was initiated, etc.)
- Any risk-reducing behaviors such as chemoprevention (e.g. tamoxifen, bilateral oopherectomy, etc.
For more information on genetic counseling, and to find a counselor in your area, please visit the National Society of Genetic Counselors.
To increase awareness of this hereditary link and the importance of genetic testing, we are working closely with the genetic counselors in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center - Division of Human Genetics and the St. Elizabeth Medical Center's Hereditary Cancer Program. To find a genetic counselor nearest you click on the “Find a Counselor” box on the left side of any of our webpages.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital: (513) 803-0750 or (800) 344-2462; ask for ext. 30750
St. Elizabeth's Medical Center: (859) 301-5396