MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (SNN) — HCA Florida Blake Hospital has launched a new genetic testing program for early cancer detection.
The program identifies people at heightened risk of cancer through a genetic screening process.
If you qualify and you’ve already had cancer, this may give you a reason as to why you developed it. You can also find out if you have higher risks for other cancers, and even help family members find out what their cancer risks are.
“We want to find those early ones, take them out, do the standard treatment. It’s all over and done with, go on with your life, it’s just behind you and nothing you ever have to worry about again,” said Chief of Radiology at HCA Florida Blake Hospital Philip Blaustein.
The genetic screening starts with a short questionnaire.
People with an increased cancer risk are provided with personalized recommendations for further testing based on their unique risk factors.
“It basically evaluates their family history of cancer, not only breast cancer, and then that determines their risk of developing cancer. If they’re high-risk, it may be to their benefit to do more advanced screening than just a mammography,” said Blaustein.
For patients identified as high-risk, the program offers advanced genetic testing to detect possible pathogenic gene variants associated with hereditary forms of cancer.
A second questionnaire will tell patients if they meet National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines for testing.
“If they meet guidelines for testing, we offer them a blood draw right on the spot,” said Oncology Coordinator at HCA Florida Blake Hospital Amy Williams.
Once blood or saliva is taken, the hospital will send it to Ambry Genetics.
“And then they’ll be connected with a genetic counselor who will give them all of the information that they need to make decisions about if they need to see additional doctors, what they need to do as far as their family members are concerned,” said Blaustein.
The program is directed by the hospital’s Breast Care Center, but it can test for any type of cancer.
If a patient meets the national criteria for testing, it may be covered by insurance. Most patients don’t have to pay, but the most it will ever cost is $249.
