Cancer Genetics Clinic

The Lacks Cancer Center at Saint Mary’s Health Care features a Cancer Genetics Clinic* designed to identify patients at risk for developing certain kinds of cancer, and to counsel those patients on the appropriate course of action. Our cancer genetics team consists of certified Oncology Nurse Practitioners with training in Genetic Education, Medical and Surgical Oncology. Genetic testing can be used to identify patients with risks for certain cancers—the most common include colorectal, breast and ovarian cancers.

Genetics Testing. During a typical visit, our Genetics Educators will review the patient’s family and personal cancer history and assess their risk of carrying an inherited cancer gene. For some patients, genetic testing will be recommended. Should test results point to the possibility of an inherited cancer gene, our team of medical, surgical and gynecological oncology specialists will further review the patient’s needs and offer a thorough personal consultation with recommended treatments, and appropriate referrals to one of our multidisciplinary cancer clinics. The two most common cancer genes that present an increased risk of colorectal cancer are Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) and Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colon Cancer (HNPCC).

FAP. FAP gene carriers have hundreds to thousands of polyps early in life, which can quickly develop into cancer. Children of patients with FAP mutations have a 50% chance of inheriting this disorder. A less powerful form of this disease is termed Attenuated FAP (AFAP), which usually produces twenty to a hundred polyps that develop into cancer later in life.

HNPCC. Patients with HNPCC are at higher risk for developing colon cancer before the age of fifty, but they will not have an abnormal number of polyps. There are many ways to discover if a patient is at high risk for this mutation including first- and second-degree relatives with colon cancer (particularly before the age of fifty), or other associated cancers (endometrial, etc.)

Patients with personal or family histories of cancer can request genetic testing through their primary care physician or self-referral by calling 1-877-LACKS-MI or 616-752-LACK(S).