The Benefits and Risks of Having a Breast Cancer Risk Assessment
Posted: October 30, 2023
If you are considering a Breast Cancer Risk Assessment to help determine your possible risk for developing breast cancer, it’s important to consider the benefits and risks of doing so.
There are multiple benefits to undergoing a cancer genetic risk assessment, including:
- Relief from uncertainty
- Understanding your cancer risk
- Ability to make informed medical and lifestyle decisions
- Allow for early detection of cancer with use of additional screening tools
- Medical management to prevent or lesson cancer risk
- If you already have cancer, knowing you carry a hereditary gene variation may guide the treatment of your cancer
- Provide helpful information to other family members
Consequently, there are also risks to undergoing a cancer genetic risk assessment, including:
- Difficulty coping with knowledge of cancer risk
- Potential impact on family and personal relationships
- Possible concerns about the privacy of the results
- Possible out of pocket expense (insurance coverage can vary, please consult with your provider)
- The maximum out of pocket cost is $250, even without insurance, but oftentimes less
If you have a personal and/or family history of cancer and are interested in a Breast Cancer Risk Assessment, please call Cancer Care Northwest at (509) 228-1000 to schedule an appointment with CCNW’s certified CGRA counselor, Jennifer Lazzara, DNP, ARNP, CGRA.
