Barrington, IL - For people with a personal or family history of cancer, understanding and managing their risk for cancer is extremely important. Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital now offers services that include hereditary cancer risk assessment, genetic counseling, and genetic testing, performed by our specially trained geneticists and genetic counselors.
“Although most cancers are not hereditary, approximately five to ten percent of individuals with cancer inherited a mutation from one of their parents that predisposes to certain types of cancer,” said Ellen Totten, MS genetic counselor at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital. “This is suspected under certain conditions, such as cancer prior to the age of 50, when there are multiple affected family members, the types of cancer, or when cancer appears to be passing from generation to generation. Genetic testing can empower a person and their family members to understand the cause of cancer and make informed decisions to manage their risk of developing cancer in the future.”
“The decision to pursue genetic testing is a very personal one and a decision that should not be made without counseling,” said Michael Soble, MD Cancer Committee Chair and oncologist at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital. “Cancer gene testing has significant medical, social and psychological implications and the advantages and disadvantages need to be considered before choosing to be tested. Our genetic specialists will help in the decision-making process, allowing people to make informed choices about genetic testing. Those who choose not to be tested can still learn valuable information about managing their risk of cancer from a genetic counseling session.”
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Division of Genetics at Advocate Medical Group at 847-723-7705.
About Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, Illinois is a 169-bed acute care hospital with more than 700 physicians representing 50 medical specialties. It is part of Advocate Health Care, named one of the Top Ten hospital systems in the U.S. by Thomson-Reuters. Good Shepherd has been named one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals by Truven Health Analytics. Good Shepherd was the only hospital in the Chicago metropolitan area to receive this recognition. Advocate is a faith-based organization that exists to serve its communities. Advocate contributed $571 million in charitable care and services to communities across Chicagoland and Central Illinois in 2012. For more about Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, visit www.advocatehealth.com/goodshep
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