Your family’s health history could be powerful cancer prevention
Cancer can feel like it comes out of nowhere, but sometimes the warning signs are in your DNA. About 10–20% of cancers run in families, passed down through inherited genetic mutations that increase the risk of developing certain cancers.
The good news? Finding out your risk for developing certain hereditary cancers through cancer genetic counseling can help give you a fuller picture of your health—and your family’s health, too.
“Genetic testing not only helps your providers understand your cancer risks more precisely, it can also help them to know if there is a more appropriate cancer screening management plan they should offer or interventions like medications, surgeries, or lifestyle changes that could reduce your cancer risks,” says Erin Beaver, MS, CGC, a licensed certified genetic counselor at Missouri Baptist Medical Center
What genetic counseling can do
Your family’s history is more than stories. It’s powerful data that can give you clues about your own health. If a parent, sibling, or child was diagnosed with cancer at a young age, or if several relatives have been diagnosed with cancer, it might point to hereditary cancer risk.
Cancer genetic counseling is a process in which a trained genetic counselor reviews your personal and family medical history to determine if you might be at risk of developing hereditary cancer. A cancer genetic counselor is like a health detective who can help you:
- Document and evaluate your personal and family medical history
- Determine whether you or your family members may be at risk for hereditary cancer
- Explain testing options—including benefits, limitations, and costs—so you can make informed decisions
- Arrange genetic testing, typically through a blood draw or saliva sample
- Interpret and discuss test results
When to consider genetic counseling
You might consider meeting with a counselor if:
- A close family member (parent, sibling, or child) was diagnosed with cancer at a young age
- One family member has had two or more separate cancers
- Several relatives have had cancer
- You have a family or personal history of certain rare cancers, such as pancreatic or ovarian cancer
If testing shows that you have an increased risk of certain cancers, your health care provider may recommend:
- Additional or earlier cancer screenings, such a breast MRI or earlier screening colonoscopy
- More frequent monitoring to catch any issues early
Keep in mind that even if you test positive for a hereditary cancer risk, it doesn’t mean you will develop cancer in your lifetime. “It’s just that you have an increased risk,” Erin says. “Conversely, testing negative for a hereditary cancer syndrome does not mean you won't ever develop cancer.”
Facing fear with facts
The thought of testing can feel overwhelming, but the goal is to help you prevent cancer or detect it early. Genetic information empowers you to make the best decisions for your health—and helps your family understand theirs, too. If your test finds a genetic mutation, your counselor may suggest testing your family members, known as cascade testing. For example, if you know you carry a mutation that means you have a higher risk for hereditary breast cancer, a counselor may recommend your children are also tested.
“That way, we can help to better screen for cancer and, in some cases, offer risk-reducing interventions,” Erin says. “We can help them make informed and empowered decisions about their health care.”
Call 314-996-7594 to learn more about genetic counseling at Missouri Baptist Medical Center.
Your health story starts with theirs
Talking about cancer with your family isn’t easy, but every piece of history you put together adds to your picture of health. Ask your parents, siblings, and other family members about their health history, and try these tips:
- Be curious. Frame it as learning about your family’s story, not because you’re fearful.
- Share your why. Explain how this type of testing can help future generations.
- Ask clear questions. Who had cancer? What type of cancer? At what age?
- Document everything. Create a simple family tree with health notes.
Common roadblocks—and how to move past them
Challenge: Your family doesn’t want to talk about cancer.
Try this: Acknowledge that it’s sensitive, but remind them that knowing your history could save your life and help future generations of family members.
Challenge: You’re not in touch with your family.
Try this: Start with who you do feel comfortable talking to and piece together what you can. Partial information can help, but even without family history information—such as in the case of adoption—genetic counselors can help facilitate testing.
Challenge: Your family doesn’t remember details.
Try this: Write down what they do know, even if it’s “the cancer started when she was in her 40s” or “I think it was stomach cancer.” Records can help fill in gaps later.
Challenge: Your family is worried about privacy.
Try this: Reassure them that their medical history will stay private and is only shared with medical providers. You don’t need to share names.
Talk to your family members today about their health history.