The HealthEast Cancer Genetics Clinic helps people who are concerned about their inherited cancer risk.

We offer genetic counseling and testing to help you make informed decisions about medical care. Knowing your cancer risk can affect the way you approach cancer prevention, detection and treatment. It can also help to reduce anxiety and give you peace of mind. Find out more with our frequently asked questions about genetic testing.

Location

The Cancer Genetics Clinic is located at St. John's Hospital in the Resource Library of the Breast Care Center. Get a Google map.

To make an appointment

To schedule an appointment call 651-232-7970. Get a referral form you can take to your doctor.

Genes and cancer

Each cell of the human body has around 25,000 pairs of genes. We inherit one copy from our mother and the other from our father. Some of these genes work to help prevent cancer. In some families, abnormalities in these genes are passed from one generation to the next, increasing the risk of developing cancer.

Signs of inherited cancer risk can include:

Family history of cancers

For example: two or more closely related family members (parents, siblings or children) who have had cancer; a close relative and more distant relatives who have had cancer.

Cancer diagnosed at an early age

For example: breast or colon cancer before age 50.

Cancer more than once in the same person

For example: bilateral breast cancer; breast cancer and ovarian cancer; colon cancer twice; colon cancer and uterine cancer.

Rare types of cancer

Such as: medullary thyroid cancer, cancer of the adrenal cortex, pheochromocytoma.

Among others, some types of cancers that can run in families include:

Assessing your risk

After carefully reviewing your situation and family history, we'll provide information to help you determine next steps.

The assessment process includes:

A detailed family history

The more we know about your family history, the better.

Risk assessment and genetic counseling

You'll meet with a genetic counselor to discuss your family history, learn more about genes and cancer, and determine what steps you can take to reduce your risks.

Genetic testing

We'll help determine if genetic testing is available. If so, it may more clearly define your risk. We may also explore potential benefits, limitations and alternatives to genetic testing.

Follow up

The genetic counselor will share the assessment with your doctors, who can then use the genetic information to create an individualized plan for cancer prevention, detection and/or treatment.