It’s Hispanic Heritage Month! When we think about this month, the first word that comes to our mind is the word ‘Family’.
Our genetic counselor, Laura Moreno, has published a blog post – in Spanish – that offers questions to discuss with family members and next steps to take if you suspect a risk of hereditary cancer in your family.
Translation:
From September 15 to October 15, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. When we think about this month, the first word that comes to our mind is the word ‘Family.’ Talking with a close or long-distance family member makes us feel at home and this month we want to encourage you to discuss your family history of cancer with your family members.
Did you know that approximately 5 to 10 percent of all cancers are hereditary?
Knowing your family history of cancer can help you and your family take early precautions and reduce your risk of developing cancer. Below we share a series of questions that you can discuss with your family members to find out if you and your family are at risk for hereditary cancer:
• Is there a family member with ovarian cancer in my family?
• Is there a family member with breast, uterine, or colon cancer in my family who was diagnosed at a young age (before age 50)?
• Are there more than 3 members on the same side of my family (mother or father) with the same type of cancer (example: colon, breast, uterus)?
• Is there a first-degree relative (son/daughter, mother, father, siblings) who was diagnosed with pancreatic or prostate cancer?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it is possible that there is a risk of hereditary cancer in your family. If so, don’t worry! You can talk to a genetic counselor who will be able to further evaluate your family history and discuss whether you need to obtain a genetic test to identify the risk factor or make recommendations to lower the risk of cancer.
Here at CCI our patients and their families are our families. As a family we want you to have the best possible care and access all the services you need. If you want to speak with a genetic counselor (in English or Spanish), you can make an appointment by calling: 256-705-4224.
To learn more about our certified genetic counselors at CCI, click here.
You can also watch a short video about our certified genetic counselors here.