Every cell in the body contains thousands of genes that control the cell’s functions.  Mutations most commonly are the result of damage to the genes acquired over the course of a lifetime due to external factors such as tobacco use, a high-fat diet, or exposure to ultraviolet sunlight.  However, medical researchers estimate that approximately 5 to 10 percent of all cancers are related to inherited genetic mutations.  Individuals with hereditary cancer are more likely to have relatives with the same type or a related type of cancer.  They also may develop more than one form of cancer in their lifetime, and they often are diagnosed at an earlier than average age.

“By identifying high-risk patients, we can implement strategies for earlier detection or prevention of malignancies,” said Lori Elwood, M.D., Medical Director of Laboratory and Chief of Pathology at Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH).  “Furthermore, for patients who already have had a cancer diagnosis, genetic testing may help their family members to understand their own risk and make informed decisions regarding their cancer-prevention and detection strategies.” 

While newer technologies have made widespread testing possible in recent years, it remains underutilized at most healthcare facilities throughout the country.  Led by Dr. Elwood and Lorei Reinhard, Director of Laboratory Services at LMH, Licking Memorial Health Systems (LMHS) has partnered with LMH physicians and a reference laboratory considered to be a leader in genetic and molecular diagnostic testing, in order to increase the Health Systems’ use of hereditary cancer screening.

The Licking Memorial Oncology and Licking Memorial Women’s Health physician offices now offer testing that identifies elevated risk for eight types of cancer, including breast, ovarian, endometrial, colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, melanoma and prostate cancer.  The Health Systems’ goal is to implement hereditary cancer risk assessments in Licking Memorial primary care practices as well. 

LMHS also will employ a Genetics Navigator with ongoing training and education in genetics, who will work with physician practices to optimize the use of hereditary cancer risk assessments.  The hereditary cancer risk assessment process includes the completion of a family history questionnaire, followed by elective genetic testing for patients who are identified as high-risk based on their family history.  Genetic testing involves a laboratory analysis of a patient’s blood sample in order to identify gene mutations with known associations to certain forms of cancer. 

The Health Systems has identified 1,185 patients as of March 31, 2016, who are considered to be at increased risk of hereditary cancer due to their family history.  That knowledge allows them to consider blood testing and/or taking steps to lower their risk, including making healthy lifestyle changes, taking preventative medication, initiating screening tests earlier than the normally recommended age, and possibly undergoing preventative surgery (such as mastectomy to prevent breast cancer)­. 

The Health Systems continuously evaluates new testing options and works to ensure that the latest technology is available for the Licking County community.  Using the knowledge gained from genetic testing, LMHS healthcare providers are able to provide education and resources to patients, facilitating better prevention and early diagnosis of cancer.  While a positive result does not necessarily mean a patient will develop cancer and a negative result does not imply zero risk, genetic testing can greatly improve patient care and help to relieve some of the anxiety surrounding cancer diagnoses. 
 

Genetic testing may be appropriate for individuals with the following characteristics:

• Family members who had a cancer diagnosis at an unusually young age
• Multiple personal diagnoses of unrelated cases of cancer
• Several close blood relatives with the same type of cancer
• The presence of a birth defect that is known to be associated with genetically inherited cancers
• Being a member of a racial/ethnic group that is known to be associated with genetically inherited cancers