Doctor swabbing patient's cheek

Genetic Counseling at the Providence Cancer Center

If one of your relatives has had cancer or if you’ve had cancer yourself, you may wonder about the inherited risk for the disease. Genetic counseling, offered through the Providence Cancer Center, can help provide answers. Our counselors explain the genetic links for certain types of cancer and help you determine if testing is right for you or others in your family. We educate you about genetic testing — what it’s for, how it works, what information it can and cannot provide.

Decisions about genetic testing and counseling are highly personal and strictly up to you. If it’s an option you decide to pursue, you can count on us to guide you through the process with personalized attention and emotional support.

3369.3 miles away
907-212-6874
907-212-6895
Mon - Fri: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Genetic Counseling at the Providence Cancer Center

If one of your relatives has had cancer or if you’ve had cancer yourself, you may wonder about the inherited risk for the disease. Genetic counseling, offered through the Providence Cancer Center, can help provide answers. Our counselors explain the genetic links for certain types of cancer and help you determine if testing is right for you or others in your family. We educate you about genetic testing — what it’s for, how it works, what information it can and cannot provide.

Decisions about genetic testing and counseling are highly personal and strictly up to you. If it’s an option you decide to pursue, you can count on us to guide you through the process with personalized attention and emotional support.

3369.3 miles away
Mon - Fri: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Genetic counseling may be appropriate for you if:

You have a diagnosis of cancer:

  • Genetics results might guide surgical and targeted treatment plans
  • To inform your risk for a new cancer for screening/prevention
  • You’re concerned about the cancer risk for your children, siblings or other relatives

If you have a family history of cancer:

  • Genetics results can help to inform screening and risk-reducing options like medications and surgery
What causes cancer?

When you come to us for genetic counseling, we will:

  • Create a family medical history to understand the patterns of cancer in the family
  • Address your concerns related to cancer and genetics
  • Discuss the possibility and process for genetic testing
  • Explain the biology and genetics of inherited cancer
  • Send a summary letter to you and your doctor(s) outlining our discussion. We will also review options available to you for managing your cancer risk, such as screening.
Referral and insurance

No referral is required for our services. However, some insurers do require a referral from a doctor before they will cover genetic counseling. We suggest contacting your insurance provider to verify coverage before scheduling your appointment.

Family member records

If other family members have underdone genetic testing in the past, it may be helpful to ask them to provide a copy of their results. If they need to request these from their provider, this form may be helpful.

Why Choose Us for Your Cancer Care?

We know that every patient is unique. No two patients – or their treatment plans – are the same. This is why we take a highly personalized approach to your cancer care and we always put our patients first. Our expert clinicians work with you to develop a specialized treatment plan that fits your personal needs, because we know this results in the best outcomes. And, of course, you receive the cutting-edge treatment and compassionate care Providence is known for.

As our patient, you and your loved ones are supported by an entire care team throughout your treatment journey. Our board-certified medical oncologists use the most advanced techniques in your diagnosis and treatment. They work closely with an extensive team that includes nurse navigators, specialists and other caregivers who provide a range of support services – from prevention and education to nutrition, integrative medicine and counseling.

Learn more about the experts who make up our multidisciplinary cancer care teams.

Cancer doesn’t discriminate, but access to great cancer care hasn’t always been the same for everyone. At Providence, we are deeply committed to making sure every patient we treat has access to the best cancer care. We value, respect and support the racial, ethnic, religious, gender, sexual and spiritual identities of each member of our diverse communities, and we never turn a patient away. Instead, we work harder to make sure every patient is treated equally and with dignity – whoever you are, and wherever you're at.

When you become a patient at Providence, you become part of a collaborative cancer-care network that often exceeds national measures for patient outcomes. This network includes award-winning physicians, scientists, researchers and caregivers across 51 hospitals in seven states. The power of this network, combined with the expertise of your local team, means you’re getting the best, most compassionate care. And if you need to meet with a specialist outside your area, we’ve got telehealth technology to help. Our network is one of the reasons 50,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients choose Providence each year.

Providence cancer research provides options, and hope, for patients seeking advanced therapies. We’re proud of our history of groundbreaking firsts and pioneering clinical trials: Providence led the international trial of the first immunotherapy to be approved for patients with melanoma. We conducted the first successful gene-engineered T-cell therapy for metastatic pancreatic cancer. And we have over 90 years of radiation research. As a Providence patient, you have the opportunity to participate in – or benefit from – one of over 1,300 new clinical trials that begin each year.

Patient Stories

When a sibling has cancer

Susan’s older sister was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Through genetic counseling, Susan learned she was at risk of having inherited a genetic change in BRCA2, a gene linked to an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Susan was stunned and confused about her cancer risk, so she met with a genetic counselor. She learned that while her chances of inheriting the gene were high, there are many screening and surgical options available to women who are at increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

A genetic counselor helped Susan take preventive steps. This enabled her to feel confident about her ability to reduce her risk and detect cancer early.

Susan

When you’re concerned about your risk

Deborah was 32 years old when she lost a close childhood friend to breast cancer. Constantly worried about her own risk for developing the disease, she visited her doctor three times in one year to have clinical breast exams.

On Deborah’s third visit, her doctor recommended she meet with a genetic counselor to discuss her risk. Through genetic counseling, Deborah was relieved to learn that her personal risk of breast cancer is less than that of an average woman.

Deborah learned the importance of knowing one’s family history. She will begin mammogram screening at the age of 40, as is generally recommended.

Deborah