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Centegra
HealthSystem
4
I
the importance of having this service
available at a community hospital, and
they worked hard to bring it here.”
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
Launched in October 2011, the
Centegra Genetic Counseling Program
offers consultations to people who may
be at an increased risk for developing
cancer because of their personal
or family history of cancer. The
consultation generates an individualized
cancer risk assessment, which helps
to determine if the cancer in the family
is hereditary and if genetic testing is
appropriate. The assessment also serves
as a guide to help individuals make
choices about preventive measures.
“One of the great benefits of genetic
counseling and testing is that patients
and their families come away with
specific information about their cancer
risks and how to decrease those
risks,” says Galasinski, who meets
with patients after testing to help them
understand their results.
SHOULD YOU BE TESTED?
A risk assessment can provide valuable
information to people with a personal
or family history of cancer. However, it’s
especially important for people who have:
● ●
Been diagnosed with breast, colon or
uterine cancer at a young age, usually
50 or younger
● ●
Been diagnosed with ovarian cancer at
any age
Connecting cancer
and genes
IF YOU or a family member has been
diagnosed with cancer, you undoubtedly
have lots of questions. Some of your
queries may relate to the genetics of
cancer. After all, it’s known that certain
types of cancers can be inherited—
passed down to you through your genes,
along with your eye and hair color.
However, understanding the links
between genes and cancer—and how
those links affect your health—can be
complicated. For this reason, Centegra
Health System has added a genetic
counseling program to the ever-growing
list of Centegra Cancer Services.
“Genetic counseling and testing can
help people make important decisions
about how to reduce
their cancer risk;
however, you need a
trained professional
to walk you through
the process,” says
Michael Soble, MD,
an oncologist on
staff at Centegra.
“Centegra saw a need
in the community
for this specialized
service and went out
and found a genetic
counselor to fill that
need.”
That genetic
counselor is Shelly
Galasinski, MS,
CGC, who is one of
only a few thousand genetic counselors
across the nation trained and licensed
to counsel people who are concerned
about cancer risks.
“Most genetic counselors work
at large academic or major medical
centers based in cities,” Galasinski says.
“However, doctors at Centegra recognized
● ●
Had several cancer diagnoses or been
diagnosed with multiple cancers at the
same time
● ●
Multiple family members on the same
side of the family who have been
diagnosed with cancer
● ●
A family member who has been
diagnosed with two or more primary
cancers or a rare type of cancer, such
as breast cancer in a male
● ●
A family member diagnosed with a
hereditary form of cancer
● ●
Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
It’s important to know that most people
will come away from genetic counseling
having learned that their risk for cancer
is no more than the average person’s.
“Most cancers are not hereditary,”
Dr. Soble says. “However, people will
continue to ask about the possibility of
a link between their cancer and genes.
With this program we ensure that we
have the resources available locally to
answer their questions.”
To learn more, call
815-759-4502
.
Looking to learn more about genetics and how they can affect your
health?
JOIN
Terrence Bugno, MD; Michael Soble, MD; and Geoffrey
Smoron, MD, for a lecture titled “Genes and Cancer: The New Frontier.”
The lecture will take place April 4 from 6:30 to 8:30pm at the McHenry
County College Conference Center.
SEE
the calendar for more details.
Shelly Galasinski,
MS, CGC,
genetic counselor
Michael Soble,
MD, oncology