GENETIC TESTING

About 5 to 10 percent of all cancers are hereditary, according to the National Cancer Institute. Ask your doctor if you would benefit from cancer genetic counseling and testing. Most insurance companies cover genetic counseling to some degree. You may benefit from testing if you:

• have family members with more than one type of cancer

• have a family member who had cancer, especially breast, ovarian, uterine and

colon cancer, before age 50

• have two or more family members with related or same types of cancers

• have a first- or second-degree relative with ovarian, pancreatic or metastatic

prostate cancer

• have a male relative with breast cancer

• are of Ashkenazi Jewish descent with a family member who has had breast

or ovarian cancer

Local resources

For genetic counseling and testing in New Mexico:

The New Mexico Cancer Center: nmcancercenter.org or 505-842-8171

UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center: cancer.unm.edu or 505-925-0156