Your genes play a meaningful role in your health—shaping everything from your physical features to your risk for certain medical conditions, including cancer. While most cancers are not inherited, about 5% to 10% of cases can be linked to hereditary factors. If cancer has touched your family, learning more about your genetic risk can be an important step toward protecting your future.
There is a lot of information online about genetics and cancer, and trying to sort through it by yourself can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to do that alone.
The Karmanos Cancer Institute Genetic Counseling Service can help patients understand whether inherited cancer risks may be part of their family story.
You may be a strong candidate for genetic counseling if you have:
- A history of rare cancers such as male breast cancer, ovarian cancer or pancreatic cancer.
- A personal or family cancer diagnosis before age 50.
- A relative who has had more than one type of cancer.
- Several family members with the same or related cancers.
Genetic counseling offers clarity. It helps you understand how your family history may influence your own cancer risk and what it could mean for your loved ones. This knowledge can guide decisions about prevention, early detection and treatment options.
At Karmanos, the process is designed to be simple and supportive. Most appointments last about 30 to 45 minutes. During your visit, a genetic counselor will review your personal and family health history, explain how hereditary cancers are passed down and help you decide whether genetic testing is right for you. They will also walk you through how testing works, potential insurance coverage and what the results may mean.
If you meet with a counselor in person and choose to proceed with testing, a blood sample can be collected during your appointment. For virtual or phone visits, you’ll receive a saliva kit in the mail with easy-to-follow instructions and a prepaid label to return your sample.
When your results are ready, your counselor will provide personal recommendations to lower your cancer risk or support early detection. Depending on your results, this may include specific screening tests, changes to screening schedules, risk-reducing surgeries, certain medications, or new lifestyle approaches such as nutrition and exercise.
Even if you decide not to pursue testing, speaking with a genetic counselor can offer meaningful insight that may ultimately help safeguard your health.
A physician referral is not required to schedule an appointment, although some insurance plans may require one. Genetic counseling is usually covered like other specialty services, and many insurance providers cover part or all the cost of genetic testing.
To learn more about the Cancer Genetic Counseling Service at Karmanos, visit karmanos.org/genetics or reach out to your nearest Karmanos Cancer Institute location.