Ochsner Health announced the launch of its Genetic Wellness Assessment, a screening tool to help identify individuals at risk for hereditary cancers. The Genetic Wellness Assessment is now available for adults interested in learning more about their cancer risk at Ochsner.org/GeneticWellnessSurvey.
The Genetic Wellness Assessment allows individuals to determine whether they may have a higher genetic risk of developing cancer by answering a few simple questions that evaluate individual risk factors. The results of genetic testing are used by healthcare providers to offer personalized recommendations for cancer screening, prevention, and further evaluation for patients and family members.
Adults interested in taking the assessment can visit Ochsner.org/GeneticWellnessSurvey to complete the Genetic Wellness Assessment at no cost. The assessment evaluates a patient’s personal and family history of cancer to identify their risk of having a genetic cancer syndrome.
It’s estimated that hereditary cancer syndromes, like Lynch syndrome or hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, are responsible for about 1 in 8 cancers. These conditions increase the risk of developing cancer at a younger age or in multiple family members.