In a continued effort to provide easier access to excellent cancer care to patients across Michigan, the Karmanos Cancer Institute is now offering genetic counseling and testing at its Flint and Mount Clemens locations. Staff includes Nancie Petrucelli, MS, CGC, senior genetic counselor/coordinator (pictured) for the Karmanos Cancer Genetic Counseling Service, as well as certified genetic counselors Courtney Attard and Rachel Hagen.
“We want more patients and families to learn the impact their family health history has on their chance of developing cancer,” Petrucelli says.
The majority of cancers develop sporadically where there is no known family history, but generally about 5 to 10 percent are hereditary, Petrucelli says. Genetic counseling can help identify people who are at increased risk due to inherited factors.
“Genetic counselors carefully review family histories to determine whether patients may be at hereditary risk,” Petrucelli says. “We’re like detectives. We ask lots of questions and look for certain clues, like two or more relatives with the same or related cancer, a family member who developed cancer under age 50, a relative with more than one type of cancer, and rare or unusual cancers.”
If family history indicates an increased risk for hereditary cancer, the patient can opt for genetic testing to check for inherited gene mutations linked to specific cancer types. This specialized test typically requires a blood sample for lab analysis.