Scientists believe that most cancers are caused by a series of genetic mutations that develop over a person's lifetime. Yet, five to 10 percent of cancers are associated with a single inherited gene mutation that passes down in families. The Hayward Genetics Center at Tulane University Health Sciences Center offers Louisiana's most comprehensive diagnostic and counseling services for people concerned that cancer may run in their families.

"We encourage anyone who is concerned about cancer in their family to consult their doctor about genetic testing," says Jess Thoene, director of the Hayward Genetics Center at Tulane. "By identifying a person with an increased risk of cancer, we may reduce the occurrence of cancer through clinical management strategies such as tamoxifen taken to prevent breast cancer and colonoscopy for early detection of colon cancer. This approach may improve that person's health outcome or quality of life through the benefit of the information."

Some people inherit changes in a cancer-associated gene from their parents. Since the DNA of a number of genes needs to be altered for a cell to become cancerous, an alteration in just one cancer-associated gene doesn't cause cancer by itself. But such an inherited DNA change places people who have it one step closer to cancer. Their risk of certain types of cancer is higher than average.

Having an altered cancer-associated gene does not necessarily mean that a person will develop cancer. The additional changes necessary for cancer to develop may not occur. Furthermore, taking preventive steps can lower cancer risk, says Kelly Jackson, certified genetic counselor. "We counsel people before they receive testing, to determine whether or not it makes sense for that particular individual. Then, if the person decides to receive the testing, we help them understand the results of their test. Our testing provides a number that indicates the percentage of increased risk that person has of getting a particular type of cancer."

The Hayward Genetics Center, established in 1976, is the referral center for the State of Louisiana Genetic Diseases Program in metabolic diseases. The center provides comprehensive clinical service for patients with all forms of inherited disorders and birth defects.

"Our board-certified clinical geneticists work as a team with two board-certified genetic counselors to provide diagnostic testing, genetic counseling and management of genetic disorders, including familial and acquired cancers," Thoene says. The human genetics diagnostic laboratories provide state-of-the-art diagnostic laboratory services to many hospitals and clinical laboratories in Louisiana and throughout the country. The cytogenetics laboratory was established at Tulane in 1960 and was one of the first such labs in the country. The biochemical genetics laboratory, established in 1978, was the first such laboratory in the Gulf South and has been the reference laboratory to the State of Louisiana for over 20 years for the confirmation of all positive samples identified by state newborn screening for inborn errors of metabolism. The centerýs molecular genetics laboratory was established in 1993. The laboratories are accredited by the College of American Pathologists and the Southwest Oncology Group and are regulated by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act 1988.

For more information about the cancer genetic testing services at the Hayward Genetics Center, call 504.988.5229.