© 2001 Myriad Genetic Laboratories Northern Nevada Genetic Counseling Robbin Palmer Certified Genetic Counselor

© 2001 Myriad Genetic Laboratories© 2001 Myriad Genetic Laboratories

Northern Nevada Genetic Northern Nevada Genetic CounselingCounseling

Robbin PalmerRobbin Palmer

Certified Genetic CounselorCertified Genetic Counselor

www.genesrus.netwww.genesrus.net


Genes Contain the Instructions for Genes Contain the Instructions for Making ProteinsMaking Proteins

CellCell NucleusNucleus ChromosomesChromosomes

Adapted from Adapted from Understanding Gene TestingUnderstanding Gene Testing,,National Institutes of Health, 1996.National Institutes of Health, 1996.

GeneGene

DNA MoleculeDNA Molecule

RNA MoleculeRNA Molecule

ProteinProtein


AllAll Cancer is Genetic Cancer is Genetic


All Cancer is GeneticAll Cancer is Genetic

a normal cell undergoes a genetic a normal cell undergoes a genetic mutation and begins to grow mutation and begins to grow uncontrollablyuncontrollably

•Genetic Genetic HereditaryHereditary

•Hereditary Hereditary IS IS GeneticGenetic


Who Is at High Risk for Who Is at High Risk for Hereditary Cancer?Hereditary Cancer?

Hereditary cancers Hereditary cancers account for only a account for only a small proportion of small proportion of all cancerall cancer


5-10% of all cancer is hereditary5-10% of all cancer is hereditary


The Cancer Family History The Cancer Family History Is the Key to:Is the Key to:

Accurate risk Accurate risk assessmentassessment

Effective genetic Effective genetic counselingcounseling

Appropriate Appropriate medical follow-upmedical follow-up


REDRED FlagsFlags

Multiple family members with cancerMultiple family members with cancer

Multiple cancers in one individualMultiple cancers in one individual

Early age of onsetEarly age of onset

BilateralityBilaterality

Rare types of cancerRare types of cancer

AncestryAncestry


The more red flags, the higher the The more red flags, the higher the suspicion of hereditary cancer in a suspicion of hereditary cancer in a

family, but family history is the most family, but family history is the most important consideration. A red flag important consideration. A red flag

may be a red herringmay be a red herring


A mutation in a cancer susceptibility A mutation in a cancer susceptibility gene does not mean cancer is gene does not mean cancer is

inevitable.inevitable.


Knowledge Knowledge isis

PowerPower

Documents

© 2001 Myriad Genetic Laboratories Northern Nevada Genetic Counseling Robbin Palmer Certified Genetic Counselor