Know your risk. Get a screening.

Some forms of cancer (including breast, colon, ovarian and prostate) may develop in individuals with an extensive family history of cancer. If you think you are at risk, you may want to consider genetic testing. Once a candidate is identified, our team provides education and counseling about cancer risk, screening and prevention options, and in some cases, genetic testing for genes that may lead to a cancer diagnosis.

A good place to start is by taking our Risk Evaluation Questionnaire. If you answer 'yes' to any of the questions, you may be a candidate for genetic testing. Please send the completed form to Tina Nikolich or fax to 541-706-4751.

What is genetic testing?

  • Genetic testing involves the examination of DNA and is used to predict the vulnerabilities a patient has to inherited disease. Currently, more than 900 genetic tests are available for many different cancers, including breast, ovarian, colon, and some rare cancers.

If I get a genetic test and it turns up positive, does that mean I will get cancer?

  • Not necessarily. The results don't guarantee that you will or will not develop cancer. Not everyone with a cancer-related gene will develop cancer. But a positive test would give you the opportunity to discuss preventative strategies.

So if I am positive for a cancer-related gene, but it doesn't mean I will get cancer, why should I get tested?

  • People at a higher risk for cancer can opt to have more frequent cancer screenings (early detection increases survival rate), make lifestyle changes to avoid additional risk, take preventative medication or in some cases, choose a pro-active intervention surgery.
  • If a person has multiple family members whose cancer can be traced to a genetic mutation, a negative test result can give this person a sense of relief.

How do I begin?

Complete our Risk Evaluation Questionnaire. If you answer 'yes' to any of the questions, you may be a candidate for genetic testing. Please send the completed form to Tina Nikolich via email to tlnikolich@stcharleshealthcare.org or fax to 541-706-4751.

What happens next?

We will contact you to set up an appointment with Dr. Cora Calomeni. At that time she will evaluate your level of risk and work with you to determine if genetic testing is appropriate.