The “C” Word
Cancer. We hear the word all the time, yet we never hope to hear it about ourselves or a loved one. It is, perhaps, one of the most dreaded words in our language. A study performed in India found that, globally, as many as one in four people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, an alarmingly high number.
There is always the old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. True, of course, and there are lifestyle factors that impact our health, but some of us are simply predisposed to developing certain types of cancer as a result of the genetic lottery.
Is There a Way to Predetermine My Risk?
Yes! Genetic cancer screenings are now available. Through testing, and in working with an outside lab, The Online NP can help you determine whether you have any of the 45 common cancer-causing genes responsible for the following medical conditions and more:
- Colorectal Cancer
- Endometrial Cancer
- Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)
- Lynch Syndrome
- Ovarian Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Attenuated Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (AFAP)
- Breast Cancer
Benefits of Knowing Your Risk
The most important predictor of surviving cancer is its early detection. Early detection results in 53% fewer stage IV diagnoses, resulting in far better outcomes, overall.
There are currently early detection tests available for some cancers. These screening tools include:
- Mammograms for breast cancer
- Pap smears for cervical cancer
- Colonoscopies for colorectal cancer
- Low-dose CT scan for those at high risk of developing lung cancer
Knowing that you may have additional risk factors based on your genetic profile gives you the opportunity to seek screening for additional types of cancer or other genetic diseases so they’re caught and treated in the early stages of their development.
What Does this Mean Practically?
Knowing your risk of certain types of cancer gives you the opportunity to have more frequent screenings, or to ask for certain types of screening at earlier ages than typically recommended. Lynch Syndrome, for example, is a type of hereditary colorectal cancer that makes you more vulnerable to developing other cancers of the:
- Liver
- Kidney
- Skin
- Brain
- Uterus/endometrium
- Stomach
While these cancers are typically seen in older adults, people who are predisposed to Lynch Syndrome can develop them at much younger ages and are at a much higher risk of developing them at any age.
Knowledge is power, and knowing your genetic risk, your innate predisposition, to certain types of cancer, empowers you to take control of your health by watching for early signs and symptoms and seeking necessary screenings sooner rather than later.
Knowing your risk is your ounce of prevention.
The Online NP
The Online NP is a unique provider of medical services in that our consultations are 100% remote. You can contact us for a telemedicine appointment via video call so we can support you in staying well. Stephanie Kowatch, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, nurse practitioner and founder of The Online NP provides telemedical services in over 40 states, allowing you ease of access to care. She can work with you to obtain genetic testing and other services that will allow you to remain as well and healthy as possible. She can be reached for an appointment by calling 775-285-6411 or emailing stephanie@TheOnlineNP.com.
Disclaimer: The information contained here was not written by a medical doctor and is intended for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for medical advice.
