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Gynecologic cancer genetic risk

Hereditary risk factors for gynecologic cancer

Approximately 20-25% of ovarian cancer is hereditary, caused by inherited gene mutations that can run in families. A smaller percentage of endometrial (uterine) and cervical cancer is hereditary. Genetic counselors at Piedmont Oncology help determine whether genetic testing for inherited gynecologic cancer risk may benefit your family.

If you or a close family member, had any of the following, you may benefit from genetic cancer risk counseling:

  • Ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, or primary peritoneal cancer (at any age)
  • Uterine cancer (at any age), especially if any of the following apply:
    • Diagnosed at a young age (50 or younger)
    • Uterine cancer and another form of cancer in the same person
    • Multiple family members with colon, rectal, stomach, uterine, ovarian, bladder, brain, biliary tract, and/or pancreatic cancer(s)
    • Tumor studies showing mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency or microsatellite instability (MSI)
    • Serous-type uterine cancer

Contact a genetic counselor

Ask your doctor about genetic risk assessment or contact our genetics team at 404.425.7300 or 706.774.4173 (Augusta). For more information about our genetics program, counseling and testing, explore our additional resources below:

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