Genetic Testing

Hereditary Cancer

All cancers are caused by the accumulation of genetic mutations, but not all cancers are caused by an inherited genetic mutation.  About 5-10% of cancers are caused by an inherited genetic mutation. Genetic testing may be recommended for families with a pattern of certain cancers (breast/ovarian or endometrial/colon) or cancer at younger ages, to see if the cause was inherited. Learn more about Hereditary Cancer Panel Testing.

There are also families who have multiple people with cancer but no identifiable genetic mutation. In these cases, the cancer is familial, likely due to a combination of shared environment and shared genetic factors.  Members of these families may still be at a higher risk of cancers even with negative results during the genetic testing process. For these reasons, it is important to know your family cancer history and to share this information with your healthcare providers. A healthcare provider can then decide whether you need increased screening based on family history alone.

Arizona Oncology’s High Risk Cancer Program

Arizona Oncology’s High Risk Cancer Program is available to our patients. We have an experienced team of specialists including medical oncologists, gynecologic oncologists, breast surgical oncologists, and nurse practitioners to help assess your risk for developing cancer, provide education, and make recommendations on cancer screenings and prevention or risk reduction options.