Hereditary Risk Factors for Gynecologic Cancer
Approximately 20-25% of ovarian cancer is hereditary, which means it is caused by an inherited gene mutation that runs in the family. A smaller percentage of endometrial (uterine) and cervical cancer is hereditary. Genetic counselors are available at Piedmont Oncology to help determine if genetic testing for inherited gynecologic cancer risk would benefit you and your family.
If you or a close family member (on either side of the family) have had any of the following, you may benefit from genetic counseling for gynecologic cancer risk:
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Ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, or primary peritoneal cancer (at any age)
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Uterine cancer diagnosed at a young age (50 or younger)
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Uterine cancer and another form of cancer in the same person
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Uterine cancer (at any age), as well as a family history of uterine, colon, ovarian, stomach, pancreatic, breast, thyroid, kidney and/or other cancers
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Tumor studies showing mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency or microsatellite instability (MSI)
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Serous-type uterine cancer (at any age)
Contact a Genetic Counselor
Ask your doctor about gynecologic cancer genetic risk assessment, or contact our genetics team at 404-425-7300. For more information about our genetics program, counseling and testing, explore our additional resources below: