Cancer Genetics

Your initial consultation takes about 45 minutes/ It includes a thorough review or discussion about your medical and family history. You will receive an email from cancergenetics@duke.edu before your visit with a link to a form that will ask for your family history information. If you don't have a computer or mobile device to fill out the online form, we can obtain the information over the phone. Ideally, we can review this information before your visit so that we can spend most of the visit asking and answering your questions.

Your initial visit may be performed via telehealth or in-person at one of our cancer clinics. Based on this visit, the counselor will determine which genetic testing, if any, should be performed.

Genetic testing requires a special kit to collect saliva or blood. The samples are examined for the presence of genes or genetic mutations that may signal a predisposition to hereditary cancer syndrome. Saliva test kits can be sent to your home. Blood tests will take place during a lab visit at one of our clinics.

We test and provide a comprehensive risk assessment for dozens of hereditary cancer syndromes, including breast cancer and ovarian cancer (including the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations), and colon cancer.

It typically takes about two to three weeks to receive your results. We will call you once we receive them. If the results are positive, we will arrange a second visit to help you understand the results of your genetic tests as well as the emotional, psychological, and social implications. We help you plan the appropriate next steps. They may include a referral to a specialist who can coordinate an appropriate cancer screening schedule or treatment plan. We also discuss the next steps for family members who may be affected based on these results.