Your First Appointment

In-person visits can be provided at The Pluta Cancer Center, Strong West, Webster, and Strong Ambulatory Center. Telephone or Video visits are also available. 

If you have never had cancer genetic testing: You will meet with a genetic counselor or Advanced Practice Provider with a special interest in cancer genetics. The appointment will take less than an hour.

During this appointment, the provider will:

• Ask you questions about your family history of cancer.
• Teach you some basics about cancer genetics.
• Discuss genetic testing options and possible results.
• Discuss the limitations and risks to genetic testing.
• Talk to you about insurance coverage for genetic testing.

You will decide, with your team’s guidance, if genetic testing is right for you and your family.

If you decide to proceed with genetic testing, you can have blood drawn, or we can ship you a cheek swab collection kit to your home. Both methods of specimen collection are reliable and accurate. Results are typically available within four weeks.

After your results come in, you will receive a phone call from the office with your results. If needed, you may have an appointment with the Hereditary Cancer Screening and Risk Reduction Program to review the results. At this visit your team will:

• Discuss the results of genetic testing and significance.
• Develop a personal cancer screening plan and strategies to lower your risk of cancer, regardless of the test results.
• Help you to inform your family about the potential for hereditary cancers.

Even if you decide not to have genetic testing done or you do not qualify for testing, you have the option to have cancer screening based on your family history. Your team will develop a personal surveillance plan and list of risk-reduction strategies.

If you already know you carry an inherited gene mutation or have a hereditary cancer syndrome: You will meet with a doctor and nurse practitioner who have a special interest in hereditary cancer syndromes. The appointment will take about an hour. At the appointment they will talk about:

• Your family history of cancer and specifics of the gene mutation.
• Your personal risk of cancer.
• Your personalized cancer screening plan.
• Steps you can take to lower your risk of cancer.
• How to inform your family about the potential for hereditary cancers.
• How to cope with the emotional impact of a hereditary cancer syndrome.

To make an appointment, please call 585-486-0600.

How can I prepare for my appointment?

Learn as much as you can about the medical history of your family. Ask specifically about the history of cancer in your family. Sometimes it is difficult to know all the details about someone’s illness. Just get as much information as you can.

Also ask about:

• Your ancestors' country or region of origin
• Relatives who have had cancer, including mother, father, sisters, brothers, children, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, grandparents, great aunts, great uncles and great grandparents
• Where in the body their cancer started or originated; for example: colon, breast or prostate
• How old they were when they were diagnosed
• Whether anyone has had any colon polyps, and if so, how many

You will be asked to complete a personal and family history of cancer form and bring that to your appointment. This will help guide discussion during your appointment. Download the form. 

You can also fill out the family history form by clicking this link, or scanning the QR code with a mobile device below.