Maggie Ward, with the Via Christi Cancer Outreach and Risk Assessment program, discussed cancer genetic testing at the October, 2015, Women's Connection luncheon.

1. What’s your risk? The ins and
outs of cancer genetic testing.
Maggie Ward
Coordinator – CORA

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What is genetic testing?
Identification
 Presence of a genetic mutation
 Does not mean cancer is present
 Increased risk for cancer
 Lack of genetic mutation
 Mutation no longer present
 Does not mean you will never get cancer
 Not yet identified

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What is genetic testing?
Ever-changing
 Single-site v. Panel testing
 BRCA 1/2
 Lynch Syndrome
 How is it done?
 Blood
 Saliva

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Not for everyone
1.Specific qualifying criteria
a. Personal and family history
b. Insurance coverage
2. Understanding of what to expect
a. Genetic counseling
b. Willingness for future testing
c. Preparation for the unexpected

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Indications
1.Ovarian Cancer
2.Breast cancer in two individuals on same side
of family
3.Breast, colon or endometrial cancer diagnosis
under the age of 50.
4.Male breast cancer or triple-negative breast
cancer diagnosis
5.Combination of three cancers in the same
side of family

6. Considerations
Decision is not cut and dry
 May or may not tell us:
 Personal cancer risk
 Family or future off-
spring cancer risk
 Inability to screen or
prevent
 No family history is the
same
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7. Case Study #1
34-year old female, no
personal history of
cancer
 Brother – sarcoma
 Mother – ovarian
 Aunt – breast
 Cousin – pancreatic
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8. Case study #2
Male, 54-years old, no
personal history of cancer
 Father – colon cancer at
48, deceased at 51
 Brother – colon cancer at
50, deceased at 60
 Mother – breast cancer at
70, alive & well at 82
 Grandmother – breast
cancer at 83, deceased at
90
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9. Case study #3
31-year old female,
diagnosed with breast
cancer
 No known family
history of cancer
 Denovo?
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Potential results
Positive:
 Genetic mutation
present
 Increased risk for
other cancers
 Future generations
 Consideration for
additional screening
and/or prevention
services
Negative:
 If known mutation in
the family, was not
passed on
 May not yet be
identified
 Familial v. Hereditary
 Screening &
prevention based on
family history

11. Potential results
VUS - Variant of Uncertain
Significance
 Often benign
 May be reclassified
 Screening/prevention
based on family history
 Family testing
 Family members affected
by cancer
 Offspring
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12. What to expect
Detailed pedigree
Consultation
Specimen collection
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Next steps
1.Know your family history
a. Three generations
b. Type of cancer & age diagnosed, when possible
2. Consider your risk
3. Talk to your physician

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QUESTIONS?
Via Christi CORA
Cancer Outreach & Risk
Assessment Program
316.689.5700
OncologyNavigators@viachristi.org