Northern Nevada Genetic Counseling

1
Northern Nevada Genetic Counseling

• Robbin Palmer
• Certified Genetic Counselor
• www.genesrus.net

2
(No Transcript)
3
Genes Contain the Instructions for Making Proteins
Adapted from Understanding Gene Testing, National
Institutes of Health, 1996.
4
All Cancer is Genetic
5
All Cancer is Genetic

• a normal cell undergoes a genetic mutation and
  begins to grow uncontrollably
• Genetic m Hereditary
• Hereditary IS Genetic

6
Who Is at High Risk for Hereditary Cancer?
Hereditary cancers account for only a small
proportion of all cancer
7
5-10 of all cancer is hereditary
8
The Cancer Family History Is the Key to

• Accurate risk assessment
• Effective genetic counseling
• Appropriate medical follow-up

9
RED Flags

• PMultiple family members with cancer
• PMultiple cancers in one individual
• PEarly age of onset
• PBilaterality
• PRare types of cancer
• PAncestry

10
The more red flags, the higher the suspicion of
hereditary cancer in a family, but family history
is the most important consideration. A red flag
may be a red herring
11
A mutation in a cancer susceptibility gene does
not mean cancer is inevitable.
12
Knowledge isPower