2018 Oncology Annual Report

GENETIC COUNSELING CORNER In 2018, AtlantiCare Cancer Care Institute introduced its genetic counseling program in an effort to enhance the continuum of care for those at the highest risk of developing cancer. Licensed Genetic Counselor Laina Lusk, MMSc, LGC, works with physicians and nurses to identify patients who may benefit from genetic testing and coordinates their care. Most cancers occur by chance. However, if a person is born with certain changes in their genes, his or her risk for developing cancer can increase dramatically. Only five to 10 percent of cancers are caused by genetic changes, called mutations, but finding a genetic mutation in a patient can have huge implications for the patient and his or her family. For example, the risk of developing breast cancer is 12.5 percent for the average woman, but as high as 80 percent for women with a mutation in the BRCA1 gene. In addition, women with BRCA1 mutations are at increased risk for ovarian and other cancers, while men with BRCA1 mutations are at increased risk for breast, prostate, and other cancers as well.

As AtlantiCare’s genetic counselor, Lusk’s goal is to make genetics personal and easy to understand. When patients come for a genetic counseling session, she reviews their personal history of cancer, draws out their family tree, and provides relevant information about genetic testing and inherited risk. She works with patients to choose the right genetic test for them and, if they wish, they can then provide a saliva sample for testing right in her ofce. When results come back, Lusk meets with patients to explain what the results mean in practical terms, and works with their providers to ensure they receive the care they need. Genetic counselors help patients and their family members navigate the sometimes overwhelming process of genetic testing and diagnosis. They meet with patients diagnosed with cancer at a young age, rare cancers, or family histories that suggest an inherited risk, and help determine whether genetic testing is right for them. They answer questions and break down complicated genetic information into plain language. Once someone is found to carry a genetic mutation, genetic counselors walk the patient through the next steps of management. This can mean screenings, surgeries, medications and other monitoring to reduce the risk of cancer or to catch it as early as possible. It also means identifying family members who are at risk of carrying the same genetic change, and making sure they receive the testing they need. Facing this kind of risk can be frightening, but genetic counselors help support patients and empower them to take control of their health and disease management.

Laina Lusk, MMSc, LGC Licensed Genetic Counselor

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