Genetic testing

Certain cancers are hereditary, meaning parents pass them to their children. At Aurora BayCare Medical Center, our genetic testing experts evaluate your risk to help prevent cancer from occurring or to catch it early.

Genetic testing: Why choose Aurora BayCare Medical Center?

We work together – and with you – to identify risk and find cancer when it is most curable. Our experts assess risk, educate families and develop action plans. Here, you’ll find:

• Dedicated experts: Our team includes board-certified and fellowship-trained specialists with years of education and experience in finding and treating genetic cancer.
• Team-based care: Our specialists share their expertise in weekly tumor boards and in our Multidisciplinary Cancer Clinic. This coordinated approach means you get all the care you need under one roof in a single-day visit.
• Sophisticated diagnostic tools: We use the most advanced diagnostic procedures to find cancer. With early detection and diagnosis, treatment can begin right away.
• National recognition: The Commission on Cancer, a national group of organizations focused on improving cancer care and survival, has accredited our program. This designation confirms that we meet or exceed national standards for care and treatment.

Understanding hereditary cancer risk

Knowing your risk is critical to preventing and stopping cancer. We use genetic testing so you and your doctors can make a plan. You should consider genetic testing if:

• Several family members have had cancer, especially:
  • Breast cancer
  • Women’s cancers, like ovarian or uterine cancer
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Thyroid cancer
• A close family member, such as a parent or sibling, had cancer before age 50.
• You or a family member have more than one primary cancer (cancer that didn’t spread from its original location).
• You (or a relative) have an unusual cancer, such as breast cancer in a man.
• There’s a history of cancer in your family that makes you worry about your risk.

Genetic testing

A genetic counselor may recommend testing if you have a family history of cancer. A specialist will take a blood sample, saliva sample or will swab the inside of your cheek.

Using a microscope, a genetic testing expert will look for mutations, or changes, in certain genes that show higher risk. With this information, our experts will make a plan to prevent cancer.

Genetic counseling services

Our genetic counseling services are here to assist you. We offer cancer risk education for you and your family.

Our cancer experts lead and participate in clinical cancer research. Through our genetic counseling program, you have access to local and national cancer research studies.

Request an appointment

Learn more about genetic testing at Aurora BayCare. Request an appointment with a cancer specialist.