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Genetic Testing and Counseling for Cancer Risk

If you are concerned about cancer risk for yourself or a loved one, work with a genetic counselor in the Sutter Health network to create a personal family cancer history and find out if genetic testing is recommended.

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Featured Services

  • Testing

Predicting Cancer Through Genetics

You have a good chance of defeating most kinds of cancer if it is caught early. Cancer is caused by changes in genes that regulate cell growth and differentiation, and some of these are passed from One Generation to the Next (PDF). In the Sutter Health network, we offer genetic testing for cancer to help you and your family understand your risk.

Genetic counselors will review your family’s cancer-risk profile. If that history suggests a higher than normal degree of risk, we may suggest genetic testing to seek out known gene mutations that leave you and your children vulnerable to certain types of cancer. These mutations cause cancer in many organs, including the breast, ovaries, prostate, thyroid, kidney, bladder, colon, liver, stomach, skin, eye and pineal gland.

Micro tubes with biological samples waiting for DNA testing

Testing is done on a small amount of body tissue or fluid, such as blood, saliva or the amniotic fluid surrounding a fetus. An appointment will be scheduled to discuss the results when they are available. A positive test does not guarantee that you will get the cancer, but it does enable you or your loved one to be screened at regular intervals.

Discuss with a physician or genetic counselor the limitations, consequences and potential results of genetic testing for cancer before getting tested. You should consider testing if:

  • Your mother, father, siblings or children develop cancer.
  • You had cancer at an early age.
  • A family member had cancer at an early age.
  • A family member had a positive gene test for a cancer with a genetic cause, such as breast or ovarian cancer.
  • You are of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage.

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Clinical Perspectives

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Genetics and Childhood Cancer

A harsh fact in the world of cancer is that it remains the leading cause of death in children and youth. Inherited gene mutations may be responsible for up to 10 percent of pediatric cancer cases.

Patient Stories

Detailed Research Leads to Quick Recovery After Breast Cancer

An engineer by profession, Gwen expects the same level of precision in her personal life, especially when it comes to her health.

Cancer Research

Sutter Health Cancer Research
Cancer is caused by cells that divide uncontrollably. They can grow into tumors that spread in the body. There are many types of cancer and many different causes. Research into the biology of cancer leads to effective treatments that improve and extend lives.

Sutter Health Cancer Research Sutter Health Cancer Research

Doctor Profiles

The following doctors are part of the Sutter Health network. Learn about the doctors on this site.
Kristin N. Anderson, M.D.

Kristin N. Anderson, M.D.

  • Medical Oncology

David H. Irwin, M.D.

David H. Irwin, M.D.

  • Hematology

  • Medical Oncology

Rajesh Behl, M.D.

Rajesh Behl, M.D.

  • Hematology

  • Medical Oncology

Bryant C. Sheh, M.D.

Bryant C. Sheh, M.D.

  • Hematology

  • Medical Oncology

Brian K. Kim, M.D.

Brian K. Kim, M.D.

  • Hematology

  • Medical Oncology

Janet Wang, M.D.

Janet Wang, M.D.

  • Hematology

  • Medical Oncology

Barbara Galligan, M.D.

Barbara Galligan, M.D.

  • Hematology

  • Medical Oncology

Yelena Krijanovski, M.D.

Yelena Krijanovski, M.D.

  • Hematology

  • Medical Oncology

Jennifer Brown, M.D.

Jennifer Brown, M.D.

  • Medical Oncology

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