Cancer Genetic Testing
Discover your inherited risk of cancer with genetic counseling and testing, available through the Cancer Resource Center at William R. Bliss Cancer Center, a service of Mary Greeley Medical Center and McFarland Clinic.
Genes & Cancer
Up to 10% of cancer cases are related to family history, meaning they’re affected by the genes a person has at birth. When you understand whether your genes put you at a high risk for cancer, you can take steps to protect your health.
Do I Need Genetic Counseling or Testing?
Ask your doctor for a referral to genetic risk education and testing services if you or your close family members have had:
- Breast cancer before age 50
- More than 20 colorectal polyps (lumps) found throughout your life
- Colorectal cancer before age 50
- Endometrial (uterine) cancer before age 50
- Melanoma, a type of skin cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
Genetic Risk Education
Before genetic testing, you’ll meet with a genetic risk educator at the Cancer Resource Center. This professional will review your family and personal health history to assess your inherited risk of certain cancers. You’ll also learn what to expect from genetic testing.
Genetic Testing
A genetic test analyzes your DNA, looking for gene changes and examining your chromosomes. If you decide to get a genetic test, we’ll draw a blood sample and send it to a lab for examination. When the results are ready, you’ll get a call to review them with your genetic risk educator.
We’ll also send the results to your doctor. Talk to your doctor about what the results mean for your health care.
Do I qualify for high-risk cancer screening or genetic testing?
William R. Bliss Cancer Center offers the tool below to help patients learn if they have a higher than average risk for cancer. This HIPAA-compliant questionnaire reviews your personal and family history to calculate a risk assessment for you and your healthcare provider. If you have questions, please call our Cancer Resource Center 515-956-6440, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Start A Risk Assessment
Cost & Insurance Coverage
Genetic risk education is free to you because the Mary Greeley Medical Center Foundation covers the cost.
For genetic testing, ask your insurance provider about its coverage requirements. If you don’t have insurance coverage, you may choose to pay for testing out-of-pocket.
