Breast Cancer Genetic counseling and testing

At the DeCesaris Institute, our Genetics Program helps you evaluate and understand your family’s risk for developing an inherited medical condition. A small percentage of all cancers can be genetic, like some types of breast cancer.
Most of the time, your doctor will refer you for genetic counseling. But you may also request an appointment without a referral.
During your consultation, you meet with a genetics counselor to talk about options for lowering and managing your risk, the likelihood of an underlying genetic cancer condition, whether genetic testing is appropriate for you and your personal and family history of cancer.
Not everyone needs genetic testing. Your counselor will help you decide if it’s right for you. If you do need genetic testing, your counselor will talk to you about the benefits and limitations of genetic testing, and guide you through the next steps. Our genetics counselor are master’s-level professionals. He or she can give you information and support, genetic counseling and genetic testing, when needed.