Cancer Genetic Testing Program
Our Cancer Genetics Program helps you identify and understand your genetic risk for developing certain cancers.
Your genes are essential in determining who you are, from your eye and hair color to a medical condition you may develop. Our cancer genetics team helps evaluate your genetic risks for certain cancers to give you a chance to prevent the disease.
Our Approach to Cancer Genetic Counseling and Testing
While 90% of cancers develop due to lifestyle, environmental, or aging factors, 5 to 10% of cancers are passed down from generation to generation.
If you or your family members have been diagnosed with colon, breast, pancreatic, ovarian, prostate, or uterine cancer, you could be at increased risk for developing these cancers.
Genetic counseling and testing are available to help clarify your risk through the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program. We make genetic counseling and testing easy for you, offering genetic counseling through telehealth appointments with licensed genetic counselors.
If testing is needed, most often it can be completed at home with a home testing kid. Occasionally a blood test is required and that can be completed at our Moorestown and Voorhees locations.
Your personal cancer risk assessment
As a participant, you will:
- Receive individualized and comprehensive counseling from licensed genetic counselors
- Discover if you have an increased cancer risk
- Learn about the benefits, risks, and limitations of genetic testing
- Undergo genetic testing, if appropriate
- Learn what you and your medical team can do to decrease your risk of developing cancer (screening, medical and/or surgical options)
If you decide that genetic testing is right for you, your genetic counselor will talk with you about your eligibility
Genetic Testing for Hereditary Cancer Syndromes
Breast and ovarian cancer syndromes
The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes most commonly cause hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndromes. But they’re not the only genes associated with these hereditary cancers.
If an alteration is found in one of the identified genes, it can indicate a higher risk of developing certain cancers.
For women, that means a higher risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancers. For men, it’s an increased risk of breast and prostate cancers.
In addition, men and women who have already been diagnosed with these cancers are at increased risk of developing a second cancer.
This makes genetic testing for breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer extremely important for those previously diagnosed.
Colorectal cancer syndrome
Common inherited colorectal cancer syndromes include Lynch Syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, or HNPCC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).
Lynch syndrome increases your risk for colon, uterine, ovarian, and other cancers.
FAP causes hundreds of colon polyps and significantly increases your risk for colon cancer. Genetic testing is available for hereditary colon cancer and other gastrointestinal hereditary cancer syndromes.
The Virtua Difference for Cancer Genetics
Flexible access to genetic counseling
You have easy and convenient access to genetic counseling appointments through telehealth. Next day, evening, and weekend appointments are available.
Flexible access to genetic counseling
You have easy and convenient access to genetic counseling appointments through telehealth. Next day, evening, and weekend appointments are available.
Advanced tumor screening at Virtua
Lynch syndrome screening is a test used at Virtua on all colorectal or endometrial cancers. When a Virtua surgeon removes a colorectal or endometrial cancerous tumor, the tissue is tested for characteristics indicating an increased risk for Lynch syndrome. If the tumor has those features, it’s noted in the patient’s pathology report. This alerts the physician to refer them to Virtua’s Cancer Genetics Program for genetic assessment and possible testing.
Advanced tumor screening at Virtua
Lynch syndrome screening is a test used at Virtua on all colorectal or endometrial cancers. When a Virtua surgeon removes a colorectal or endometrial cancerous tumor, the tissue is tested for characteristics indicating an increased risk for Lynch syndrome. If the tumor has those features, it’s noted in the patient’s pathology report. This alerts the physician to refer them to Virtua’s Cancer Genetics Program for genetic assessment and possible testing.
Care for the whole person
Cancer affects all aspects of your life. That’s why we take a big-picture approach to your care. At the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program, your care plan includes more than medical or surgical treatments. You also have access to resources like counseling, pain management, and sexual wellness services. This holistic approach led to our accreditation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.
Care for the whole person
Cancer affects all aspects of your life. That’s why we take a big-picture approach to your care. At the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program, your care plan includes more than medical or surgical treatments. You also have access to resources like counseling, pain management, and sexual wellness services. This holistic approach led to our accreditation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.
Cancer clinical trials
We’re constantly working to improve treatments through clinical trials. When you participate in a trial, you may have access to a promising new therapy before it’s widely available. We lead studies on immunotherapy drugs that attack the cancer cells in your body. And we investigate medications that target specific genetic mutations associated with a number of cancers.
Cancer clinical trials
We’re constantly working to improve treatments through clinical trials. When you participate in a trial, you may have access to a promising new therapy before it’s widely available. We lead studies on immunotherapy drugs that attack the cancer cells in your body. And we investigate medications that target specific genetic mutations associated with a number of cancers.
Schedule an Appointment
If a family member has been diagnosed with colon, breast, pancreatic, ovarian, prostate, or uterine cancer, schedule a telehealth cancer genetic counseling appointment to learn more about your risk.
Cancer Genetic Testing and Counseling Quick links
How can we help you?
Schedule an appointment
Virtua offers genetic counseling through flexible telehealth appointments with licensed genetic counselors.
Does cancer run in your family?
If you or your family members have been diagnosed with colon, breast, pancreatic, ovarian, prostate, or uterine cancer, you could be at increased risk for developing these cancers. Complete this questionnaire to identify factors that could increase your risk.