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).
Call 513 853 4363 and ask for a cancer 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.
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.
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:
Specific Examples of Hereditary Cancer Concerns | |
---|---|
Breast and Ovarian Cancer
|
Colon and Uterine Cancer
Other Cancers
|
We are physicians, hospitals and communities working together to help you live better.