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If you answer yes to any of these questions, you should
consider having your cancer risk examined. Leon Hess Cancer
Center at Monmouth Medical Center offers a High Risk Cancer
Assessment Program that is designed to evaluate, educate
and closely monitor individuals who are at high risk for
developing cancer. Please click here to have a program representative contact
you.
Additional information on hereditary risk for cancer is available
from the National
Cancer Institute, American
Cancer Society and the National
Society of Genetic Counselors
The High Risk Cancer Assessment Program was created for
individuals and families who are concerned about their risk
of developing cancer due to their medical and family history,
environmental factors and lifestyle choices. Its main goal
is to educate and provide cancer screening and prevention
recommendations for individuals at high risk for developing
the disease.
 The program helps patients and their families confronting
cancer risks to make informed decisions about their health
care needs by providing them with appropriate medical and
genetic information, social support and resources. A high
risk team works closely with each patient to develop a personal
health plan and to educate him or her about individual risk
factors. Led by board certified genetic counselor Sherry
Grumet, M.S., C.G.C., who leads the program, the team
is comprised of expertly qualified medical, gynecologic and
surgical oncologists, nurse practitioners, social workers,
psychologists, pathologists, radiologists and other health
care professionals.
Since early detection or prevention of cancer is our goal,
it is important to first being aware of your risk for developing
the disease.
Under High Risk Cancer Assessment Program, your personal
and family medical history will be evaluated by a board-certified
oncology genetic counselor, who will explain the risks for
certain types of cancer for you and your family members.
Options for genetic testing, cancer prevention and medical
surveillance will be explained in detail.
Learning of an increased cancer risk has psychological and
medical implications. The genetic counselor will explain
all of your options, including the advantages, disadvantages
and limitations of genetic testing. Making decisions about
genetic testing, cancer surveillance and prevention is complex — counseling
can help you make the decisions that are right for you and
your family.
This process has many steps to ensure that each patient
has a full understanding of their cancer risk as well as
the benefits and implications of genetic test results. The
steps to genetic testing include:
-- Making an appointment with a genetic counselor. Prior
to the appointment, you will be mailed a cancer risk assessment
questionnaire detailing your personal medical history, as
well as your family’s history of cancer.
-- Meeting with a genetic counselor. During your appointment,
your personal and family history will be reviewed and you
will receive an explanation of your risks for developing
certain types of cancer. Information about hereditary cancer
will be explained. You may also have the option of having
a genetic test.
-- Undergoing genetic testing. When appropriate, a blood
sample may be ordered by your genetic counselor to examine
your blood for altered cancer genes that are linked to an
increased risk of certain cancers. Altered cancer genes can
be inherited from either parent, and researchers have identified
genes linked to many different forms of cancer.
-- Reviewing test results. The results of genetic testing
are thoroughly explained during a follow-up session. A personalized
plan for cancer prevention and surveillance designed by the
program’s multidisciplinary team will be carefully
reviewed. Implications for family members will also be explained.
Appointments through the High Risk Cancer Assessment Program
are available on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Genetic testing can tell you whether you carry a gene mutation
that raises your risk and possibly your family’s risk
of cancer. It does not tell you whether you have or will
definitely get cancer.
A person found to carry an altered cancer gene may benefit
from certain cancer prevention and surveillance methods and
they may be able to provide cancer risk information to family
members. For individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer,
the discovery of an altered gene may help explain why their
cancer developed and identify risks of developing related
cancers.
An individual found not to have an altered cancer gene that
is known to run in his or her family may be spared unnecessary
anxiety and increased medical surveillance.
All family and medical history information and genetic test
results are confidential. This information will not release
under any circumstance without your written consent. In addition,
no information will be submitted to your insurance company
unless you request it.
For more information, please contact us by e-mail or
call Sherry Grumet,
M.A., M.S., C.G.C., a board-certified oncology genetic counselor
who leads the program, at 732-923-6711 or at sgrumet@sbhcs.com;
oncology nurse practitioner Lolita
Jacob, R.N., M.S., APNC at 732-923-6573 or ljacob@sbhcs.com;
or the Leon Hess Cancer Center at 732-923-6575.
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