Genetic Screening Specialist

What is genetic testing?

Your genes control every factor of your person, from the color of your eyes to your overall height and build. Genetic mutations passed from a parent to a child can make it more likely that the child will develop a disease at some point in life. Genetic testing assesses your risk for specific diseases, including cancers that are genetically based. Dr. Burt recommends the Myriad myRisk cancer screening because of its comprehensiveness and ease of use.

What types of cancers can Myriad myRisk screen for?

The Myriad myRisk Hereditary Cancer Panel screens for eight primary types of cancers, including:

• Melanoma
• Prostate
• Endometrial
• Breast
• Ovarian
• Gastric
• Colorectal
• Pancreatic

Each of these has a genetic component, so knowing your risk is helpful.

How does genetic screening help?

Genetic screening tells you whether or not you have an increased risk for these types of cancers. Knowing this can help your doctor make informed decisions about your healthcare so you can take steps to prevent these cancers. Genetic screening also helps Dr. Burt make a timely, accurate diagnosis if you do have a genetic disease, which then can guide treatment for a more positive outcome. Your genetic screening can also help your children and grandchildren understand their risks and protect their health even earlier.

What does the Myriad myRisk test involve?

The Myriad myRisk Hereditary Cancer Panel is fairly simple. Dr. Burt takes a small sample of blood or saliva with your consent. He sends that sample to Myriad, the company that makes the screening test, for analysis. Your results are ready within two to three weeks. Dr. Burt will help you analyze what they mean.

Who needs genetic testing?

While all patients can benefit from genetic testing and the knowledge it brings, you should seriously consider it if you have the following family history factors:

• You or someone in your immediate family had cancer at a young age
• Cancer frequently occurs in your family
• You have a family history of two or more of the cancers on the test
• Someone in your family had a rare form of cancer

If you have one of these factors or simply want to know necessary to make good, informed health decisions, talk to Dr. Burt about genetic screening with the Myriad myRisk Hereditary Cancer Panel.