Cancer Genetics

Some cancers are more likely to develop because of genetic mutations. Genetic testing can determine your cancer risk and help you plan for it. At South Brooklyn Care in the Brighton Beach neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, Elvira Neculiseanu, MD, and Aleksandre Toreli, MD, offer adults various types of cancer genetics. Call the office today to request a genetic screening consultation, or book your appointment online.

What is cancer genetics?

Cancer genetics, or predictive genetic testing, uses advanced technology to look for inherited gene mutations that increase your cancer risk. If you have family members diagnosed with cancer, cancer genetics can compare your risk and determine your best course of action.

Who might benefit from cancer genetics?

At South Brooklyn Care, the team recommends cancer genetics to people with specific cancer patterns in their families. For example, you might benefit from cancer genetics if you have:

• Siblings or parents with cancer
• Cluster of cancers in your family linked to a genetic mutation
• Family member with more than one kind of cancer
• Close relatives with cancer linked to hereditary cancer syndromes
• Family member with a known genetic mutation (due to previous genetic testing)

You might benefit from cancer genetics, even if cancer doesn’t run in your family. That’s especially true if lifestyle factors like smoking or excessive alcohol consumption increase your cancer risk.

What does cancer genetics involve?

Your South Brooklyn Care provider completes a physical exam and has you fill out a medical consent form. They then collect a sample of blood, saliva, or cheek cells. Your provider sends your sample to a nearby lab that analyzes it for the presence of specific genetic mutations. The team receives your results about a week later.

What can I learn from cancer genetics?

Cancer genetics (for example, genetic testing) can provide critical insights into your well-being. The tests aren’t perfect, but they can help you make better decisions about your health.

A negative genetic test can provide peace of mind if you have a family history of a particular cancer. Likewise, a positive result can alert you early on when the disease responds best to treatment.

Remember –– just because a test reveals you have a specific genetic mutation doesn’t necessarily mean you’re destined to get cancer. If anything, you can use the information to protect your health. You can quit using tobacco, exercise more frequently, eat healthier, and schedule regular preventive screenings.

These actions can improve your quality of life and reduce the risk of potentially severe complications.

Call South Brooklyn Care today to learn more about cancer genetics, or book your appointment online.