When it comes to cancer, genetic evaluations can be life-saving, leading to early identification, proactive management, and precision care for patients. SequenceMD offers genetic counseling and testing for hereditary cancer syndromes in both diagnostic and preventive contexts. The team at our genetics clinic has strong expertise in early-onset cancer, inherited cancer syndromes, and genetic risk evaluation.
The Use of Genetics in Oncology
Genetic testing can be used to assess hereditary cancer risk, diagnose and classify tumors, predict treatment response and prognosis, and personalize therapies to improve outcomes. Inherited conditions such as BRCA1/2, Lynch syndrome, Li-Fraumeni, and others are associated with high lifetime cancer risks, often across multiple organ systems. Early identification enables risk-reducing interventions, screening protocols, and targeted, proactive care.
Genetic Cancer Risk Screenings and Evaluation Benefits
Risk Assessment: Identify a patient’s risk for breast, ovarian, colon, pancreatic, and other cancers
Precise Diagnosis: Distinguish hereditary cancer syndromes from sporadic tumors and clarifying genetic risk for rare tumor types
Proactive Care: Enable personalized screening schedules and preventive surgery discussions
Tailored Treatment: Inform targeted pharmaceutical and treatment decisions, including PARP and checkpoint inhibitors, helping increase treatment efficacy and reduce potential side effects
Family Knowledge: Support cascade testing and risk reduction for hereditary cancers in family members
Who Should Receive Genetic Cancer Screening?
Patients with a personal or family history of any of the following should strongly consider a genetic cancer risk screening.
- Cancer diagnosis before age 50 (breast, colon, uterine, etc.)
- Multiple primary cancers or bilateral tumors
- Family history of cancer in multiple relatives or across generations
- Rare cancers (e.g., male breast cancer, medullary thyroid cancer, ovarian, pancreatic)
- Known pathogenic variant in a family member
- History of colon polyps, endometrial cancer, or early-onset gastrointestinal tumors
- Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry with family history of cancer
Holistic Patient Evaluations
SequenceMD begins all genetic evaluations with the patient, not the referral. Rather than testing based on a single diagnosis, we leverage a full clinical history, cross-system findings, and family risk assessment. Our clinic evaluates each patient holistically, weighing genetic, environmental, and familial factors, expanding testing as needed if any additional risks are found. Through secondary and complementary testing (such as pharmacogenomics, carrier screening, and polygenic risk scoring), we build a complete genomic health profile for every patient.
We Collaborate with Your Care Team
Our clinical genetics experts use our findings to give actionable, detailed recommendations to referring oncology doctors and your entire care team. Depending on the results of your genetic testing and evaluation, we work with your providers to:
- Review natural history, clinical presentation, and medical management for all genetic conditions
- Discuss targeted treatment options, specialty consultations, and monitoring
- Guide family counseling and coordinate additional testing
- Provide continuing patient care with annual follow-ups
- Reanalyze genetic data and results in light of new breakthroughs
