Genetic Testing
Genetic testing for cancer risk involves analyzing a person’s DNA to identify inherited mutations that may increase the likelihood of developing certain types of cancer. This information can help individuals make proactive health care decisions, including more frequent screenings, lifestyle changes, preventive medications or even risk-reducing surgeries. Genetic testing is often recommended for people with a personal or family history of cancer, especially if the cancers occurred at a young age or follow a particular pattern within a family.
Cancer Genetics and Prevention Clinic
At the Cancer Genetics and Prevention Clinic, we provide a cancer genetic risk assessment, which is a comprehensive evaluation process used to determine an individual’s likelihood of having an inherited predisposition to cancer. It involves collecting detailed personal and family medical histories, often spanning multiple generations, to identify patterns suggestive of hereditary cancer syndromes. This can help inform whether genetic testing is appropriate and which test to order. The goal is to provide personalized guidance on cancer risk, inform decisions about genetic testing and recommend appropriate cancer screening or prevention strategies tailored to the individual’s level of risk.
High-Risk Breast Clinic
The High-Risk Breast Clinic was developed to help care for men or women who have an elevated risk of breast cancer secondary to family history, genetic susceptibility and biopsy-based risk factors.
Jennifer Knowles, CNP
Rapid City, SD