Genetic Testing For Cancer

All cancer is genetic. For a cell in your body to turn into a cancer cell and then a tumor, a series of genetic errors (mutations) must occur. However, ~10% of individuals who develop cancer do so because of a genetic predisposition. If you carry a hereditary mutation, you do not necessarily get cancer, but your risk of developing cancer at some point during your lifetime is higher than average.

If you or your family are suspicious of having a hereditary form of cancer, there are tell-tale signs you can look for, including:

Personal or Family History of One of These Cancers

  • Breast cancer
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Medullary thyroid cancer
  • Osteosarcoma
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Paraganglioma or pheochromocytoma
  • Prostate cancer (advanced or metastatic)

Personal or Family History of Any of These Features

  • Multiple individuals affected by cancer on the same side of the family
  • Multiple individuals with the same cancer or specific patterns of cancer in the family
  • Individuals who have had more than one cancer diagnosis (two or more separate cancers)
  • Individuals diagnosed less than age 50 years
  • Rare cancers in the family (e.g., male breast cancer)
  • Individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry

Genetic Testing For Cancer at Chicago Genetic Consultants

We perform genetic testing for cancer for conditions including:

  • Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (BRCA1/2)
  • Lynch syndrome
  • Adenomatous polyposis syndromes (FAP and MAP)
  • Birt-Hogg-Dubé
  • Cowden syndrome
  • Fanconi anemia
  • Gorlin syndrome
  • Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer and lobular breast cancer syndrome
  • Juvenile polyposis syndrome
  • Multiple endocrine neoplasia types, 1, 2A and 2B
  • Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Medullary thyroid cancer
  • Melanoma
  • Kidney cancer
  • Osteosarcoma
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Paraganglioma or pheochromocytoma
  • Prostate cancer (advanced or metastatic)
  • Sarcoma
  • Uterine cancer
  • And many others. Contact us with questions.

Here’s how it works:

  1. We’ll have an initial consultation via phone or video to determine if you’re a candidate for cancer genetic testing.
  2. You’ll submit a blood or saliva sample using a test kit we’ll have mailed to you.
  3. We’ll have a follow up consultation via phone or video. We’ll walk through your results and make recommendations for you and your family members.

Overall the process takes 2 – 3 weeks.

Insurance and Payment

Most insurers cover genetic testing if certain conditions are met. We’ll review those with you at your initial consultation. If you’d prefer to self-pay, the laboratories accept credit cards, and the cost for the testing is as low as $250.

Additional Support

We also connect individuals and families with patient advocacy groups. It often helps to speak to other people who are dealing with many of the same difficult issues and decisions you may encounter.