Cancer Genetic Services

Featured Videos

View Our Library of Patient Education Videos

Learn about TriHealth Precision Medicine & Genetic Services

TriHealth Cancer Institute offers genetic counseling and genetic testing for individuals concerned about the risk of an inherited cancer predisposition.

A genetic counselor is a health professional with special graduate degree and experience in medical genetics and counseling. In the state of Ohio, genetic counselors must be Licensed and Board Certified. Our team of four Licensed and Board Certified genetic counselors specialize in cancer genetics. The counselors will assess the risk of cancer in your family, explain genetic testing options, coordinate testing when appropriate and help you and your healthcare provider use your personalized genetic information to plan cancer screening, prevention and/or treatment.

To learn more about genetic counselors, click here (This will take you away from the TriHealth website).

How Do I Make an Appointment for Genetic Counseling and Testing?

Call 513 853 4363 and ask for a cancer genetic counseling appointment.

Physicians: Place referral in EPIC using "AMBULATORY REFERRAL GENETIC ONCOLOGY REF1114."

What Happens at a Genetic Counseling Appointment?

Risk Assessment: The genetic counselor will take a complete family history and medical history. During the risk assessment the patient will learn more about their cancer risk and potential risk to other family members.

Education: Includes learning about the genetics of hereditary cancer, genetic testing options, and other screening, management and treatment options.

Testing: If indicated, genetic testing is offered, but only after the benefits, risk and limits of each test are carefully considered. Deciding whether or not to have genetic testing is a personal choice. The genetic test may include either a blood draw or collection of saliva (buccal sample).

Results: Individuals receive their test result from the genetic counselor. A discussion follows regarding how the result affects cancer screening, treatment, and management, as well as the testing recommendations for other relatives.

See the Genetic Counseling Brochure (PDF) for more information

Does Insurance Cover Genetic Testing?

Many insurance plans cover genetic testing if you have enough risk factors, such as personal or family history of certain cancers. During your genetic counseling session, the genetic counselor can explain the pre-authorization process and may be able to review your insurance carrier's criteria for genetic testing. Most testing labs will check your deductible and co-insurance from your insurance carrier prior to testing. Should there be high out-of-pocket expenses, the lab will contact you for approval before beginning the test. In most cases, the patient does not need to call their insurance carrier before the genetic testing appointment.

Who Should Consider Cancer Genetic Testing?

Testing is recommended only after discussion of the benefits, risks and limits, and potential outcomes of genetic testing. A family meeting any of the criteria below may consider genetic counseling:

Cancer that occurs at an early age (50 or younger)
Two or more close relatives who have the same type of cancer or related cancers
Cancer that occurred in more than one generation
One family member has two or more cancers
A rare cancer or tumor, such as sarcoma or male breast cancer
Cancer that develops in both breasts, both ovaries, both kidneys, etc.
Any person concerned about developing cancer because of their family history

Specific Examples of Hereditary Cancer Concerns
Breast and Ovarian Cancer You or a close relative had breast cancer at an early age (50 or younger) You had breast cancer at any age and a close relative had breast cancer earlier than age 50 You had a “triple negative” breast cancer You had ovarian cancer at any age You or a close relative had bilateral breast cancer, first diagnosed at age 50 or younger You or a close relative had breast and ovarian cancer There are 3 close relatives on the same side of the family with either breast, ovarian, or pancreatic cancers diagnosed at any age You have Ashkenazi Jewish heritage and were diagnosed with breast cancer at any age Any male with breast cancer or a close relative of a male with breast cancer Your close relative carries a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation	Colon and Uterine Cancer You had colon or uterine cancer diagnosed at age 50 or younger You had 2 colon cancers, or colon AND uterine cancer at any age You had 2 close relatives with colon cancer; one diagnosed at 55 years or younger You had 3 close relatives with colorectal and/or uterine cancer at any age You or a close relative has had 10 or more total colon polyps You or a relative had abnormal tumor screening such as MSI or IHC Other Cancers Metastatic Prostate Cancer Pancreatic Cancer BRCA ½ Mutation in Tumor Testing

Specific Examples of Hereditary Cancer Concerns

Breast and Ovarian Cancer

You or a close relative had breast cancer at an early age (50 or younger)
You had breast cancer at any age and a close relative had breast cancer earlier than age 50
You had a “triple negative” breast cancer
You had ovarian cancer at any age
You or a close relative had bilateral breast cancer, first diagnosed at age 50 or younger
You or a close relative had breast and ovarian cancer
There are 3 close relatives on the same side of the family with either breast, ovarian, or pancreatic cancers diagnosed at any age
You have Ashkenazi Jewish heritage and were diagnosed with breast cancer at any age
Any male with breast cancer or a close relative of a male with breast cancer
Your close relative carries a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation

Colon and Uterine Cancer

You had colon or uterine cancer diagnosed at age 50 or younger
You had 2 colon cancers, or colon AND uterine cancer at any age
You had 2 close relatives with colon cancer; one diagnosed at 55 years or younger
You had 3 close relatives with colorectal and/or uterine cancer at any age
You or a close relative has had 10 or more total colon polyps
You or a relative had abnormal tumor screening such as MSI or IHC

Other Cancers

Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
BRCA ½ Mutation in Tumor Testing

Cancer Genetic Services

Featured Videos

Contact Information

Documents

In the News

DailyHealthWire

How Do I Make an Appointment for Genetic Counseling and Testing?

What Happens at a Genetic Counseling Appointment?

Does Insurance Cover Genetic Testing?

Who Should Consider Cancer Genetic Testing?

Provider Resources

Patient Resources