Genetics in Cancer Care and Prevention
Guest Speaker: Melissa Gillette
While most cancers are thought to occur by chance, approximately 10% of are due to a hereditary cause. Having genetic testing to find out if a hereditary risk factor can be identified may sound intimidating and scary. You could learn that there are increased risks for developing cancer for you and family members. However, learning that these risks are present allows you and your family members to take control. It allows you and them to take measures to prevent cancer or use increased surveillance to detect it at an early, more treatable stage. Additionally, knowledge of a hereditary cause may aid in making cancer treatment decisions, such as surgical decisions or targeted cancer therapy.