"As a cancer genetic counselor, I provide a service that is both empathic and informative. I am firmly committed to the ideals of patient autonomy and informed consent. It is essential that patients have the opportunity to discuss their fears and concerns, as well as the impact of genetic information on family dynamics prior to genetic testing."
Erin Ashe, MS, CGC

Genetic Counseling Program

The Cancer Genetic Counseling program at the Bennett Cancer Center is uniquely comprehensive, involving a multidisciplinary team of specialists. The BCC offers the only full-time cancer genetic counselor in Fairfield County, ensuring timely delivery of genetic counseling services, and superior interaction with other specialists at BCC. This multidisciplinary approach offers families the most current information in both genetics and oncology.

Who may benefit from genetic counseling?

• Individuals with a personal and/or family history suspicious of a hereditary cancer susceptibility (see "Features of Hereditary Cancer Susceptibility")
• Members of a family with a known cancer susceptibility syndrome
• Individuals with extreme cancer anxiety, even in the absence of heightened risk
• Individuals considering cancer genetic testing
• Individuals with questions about cancer risk in offspring or extended family members
• High risk individuals, including those with a known cancer susceptibility syndrome, or with significant family history, with questions about cancer treatments, prevention, research studies, and screening options
• Individuals who have undergone genetic testing through their physician and would like a more detailed discussion about their test results

Features of Hereditary Cancer Susceptibility

• Cancer diagnosed at an unusually young age (Breast or colon cancer before age 50)
• Multiple close family members with either the same type of cancer or related cancers (breast and ovarian, uterine and colon)
• Two or more primary cancer diagnoses in the same individual
• Certain rare cancers or tumors (medullary thyroid cancer, retinoblastoma, hepatoblastoma, male breast cancer, adrenocortical carcinoma, pheochromocytoma)
• Other features associated with hereditary cancer syndromes (multiple colon polyps)

Common Components of Cancer Genetic Counseling

Genetic counselors are specially trained health care professionals with skills in medical genetics and counseling who work in a variety of settings including cancer genetic risk assessment. Genetic counseling for patients concerned about their cancer risk includes the following:

• Collecting a detailed cancer-focused personal and family medical history
• Assessing a person's risk for developing cancer utilizing various risk models
• Determining whether the history is suggestive of an inherited cancer susceptibility
• Providing patient education and answering questions about cancer risks, the option of genetic testing, and the risks and benefits of genetic testing
• Reviewing medical management options with or without genetic testing
• Discuss insurance coverage of testing and confidentiality concerns regarding the use and availability of genetic test results
• Providing psychosocial support to and facilitating communication between patients and families
• Communicating with primary care and referring physicians so that the information from risk assessment can be used to appropriately manage cancer risks.

Please contact our Cancer Genetics Program Coordinator, Erin Ash, MS, CGC at (203) 276-7693.

For more information or to make an appointment please call
1-877-233-WELL (9355).