Prevention & Detection
Change text size
Breast/Ovarian Cancer Risk Assessment Program
Who should consider this program? Individuals or families who have experienced:
- Breast cancer at an early age (before the age of 40)
- Multiple cases of breast and/or ovarian cancer in the same individual or close relatives on either the mother's or father's side
- Male breast cancer
- Families with close relatives with clustering of breast and/or ovarian cancers with any of the following cancers: thyroid, sarcoma, adrenal, brain tumors, leukemia/lymphoma, prostate, pancreatic or melanoma
- A known hereditary syndrome or a family in which a mutation in a cancer causing gene has already been identified
Colorectal Cancer Risk Assessment Program
Who should consider this program? Individuals or families who have experienced:
- Colorectal cancer at an early age (before age 50)
- Colorectal cancer occurring in two or more successive generations
- Three or more close relatives with colorectal cancer
- Pre-cancerous colon polyps before age 40
- Families with close relatives with clustering of colorectal and/or endometrial cancer with any of the following cancers: ovarian, small bowel, gall bladder, renal pelvis or ureteral (a type of kidney cancer), stomach cancer
- More than one colorectal cancer in the same individual
- A known hereditary syndrome (like Familial Adenomatous Polyposis) or a family in which a mutation in a cancer causing gene has already been identified
What Can You Expect From These Programs?
You can expect education regarding:
- Cancer and cancer risk
- Factors that can increase the chances of developing cancer
- Lifestyle changes that may decrease the risk of cancer development
- Genetics of an inherited predisposition for cancer
- Current status of gene testing
- The benefits and limitations of undertaking genetic testing
Completion of the program will provide:
- A detailed evaluation and assessment of family and personal health history that will become the basis for a personal risk assessment by a team of health care professionals
- Personalized recommendations for cancer screening
- Referrals to a geneticist if appropriate and desired for formal genetic counseling and testing
- Assisted referrals to other specialists, if needed, for further information, evaluation and recommendations
For More Information
We encourage you to discuss this information with your primary care doctor or other trusted health care professionals.
If you have further questions, would like more information or wish to schedule an appointment, please call (701) 234-2448 or (800) 511-6161, ext. 2448.
This program is made possible through the generous gifts of individuals, businesses and organizations throughout our region. If you are interested in making a gift, please contact:
MeritCare Foundation
720 4th St. N.
Fargo, ND 58122
Or call (701) 234-6246
Additional information and resources can be found on the internet:
What You Need to Know Before Beginning
What the Program Entails
Genetic Testing and Costs of Service