Fox Chase Offers New Technologies Which Provide Genetic Testing Beyond BRCA1 and BRCA2

• When the Risk Assessment Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center decided it was time to begin offering the latest multigene genetic testing to our patients, we were confident that our team would be at the forefront of this rapidly changing field.

  Fox Chase began routinely offering these new tests to our patients in September, 2013.

  “When new patients are seen for cancer risk assessment, we first determine whether genetic testing is right for them. If so, the patient may be offered the choice between a specific test, such as BRCA1/2, the genes for Lynch syndrome, or a multigene panel,” said Andrea Forman, MS, LCGC. a genetics counselor at Fox Chase.

  “We have ordered several hundred tests and found a few common themes,” Forman continues. A panel includes the specific genes, plus other genes related to the cancers seen in the family.  “Part of what sets Fox Chase apart is our team of doctors, nurses, genetic counselors, and researchers. Our team focuses much of their effort into building tools to help us manage our patients’ needs. Multigene panels now come in many versions from many testing labs. It is important to use a testing lab with a good reputation, high quality, experience analyzing unclear results, and clear test reports.”

  To learn about multigene testing, please call to schedule an appointment with our genetic counselors at 877-627-9684.