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We've all heard statistics about the risks of developing cancer. However, the newest addition to the CoxHealth cancer team can tell you how likely YOU are to develop a terminal disease. As the fields of genetic research and testing continue to expand, more hospitals across the country are bringing in professionals trained to assess patient DNA. KSMU's Megan Keathley has more.
Mary Owen estimates that 1 in 3 people will develop a form of cancer within their lifetime. She should know. According to CoxHealth, Owen is the area's first genetic counselor to offer cancer-specific services. It's her job to search a patient's genetic makeup and family history for hereditary risks to cancer, pre-natal disease, and other conditions. When testing for cancer risks, Owen says she looks for certain red flags, including instances of cancer within the family, and a condition known as congenital gene mutation.
Owen emphasizes that genetic testing and counseling is designed to show a person's risk for developing a disease. It is not a tool for diagnosis. After discussing different risk factors with Owen, a counseling patient can choose whether or not to be tested.
Patients with predispositions for disease often avoid genetic testing because they fear the results will lead to discrimination in the workplace. In response, the federal government recently passed the Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act, which prohibits employers and insurance companies from discriminating against those with genetic risk for disease. Owen says that with medical privacy laws already in place, it would be impossible for employers to legally obtain test results without the patient's consent.
