find care
Our team of compassionate, highly trained urologists provides comprehensive treatment options tailored to your individual needs. We’re here to guide you with expertise, respect, and care — every step of the way.
Texas Oncology is a leader in groundbreaking cancer research and clinical trials in Texas, paving the way for new breakthroughs in cancer care.
Not everyone with a personal or family history of cancer qualifies for or chooses genetic testing. For some people, genetic testing can cause extra worry and anxiety. In these cases, the stress of knowing you may have an increased risk of cancer may outweigh the benefits of testing. Instead of genetic testing, you may still choose to undergo regular cancer screenings and take preventive steps, such as regular checkups and following a healthy lifestyle.
In addition, a negative test result doesn’t mean a person will never get cancer, as most cancers do not run in the family. Genetics is an evolving field; experts cannot yet identify every possible genetic change that may cause cancer.
A genetics appointment at Texas Oncology will be scheduled with a GREAT provider, a provider who is designated to offer genetic evaluations, has specialized training in cancer genetics and who has the immediate support of the genetic counseling team. Find a GREAT Program provider near you and call to schedule an appointment.
English
English
English
English
English
At your genetic evaluation, you will meet with a provider with specialized training in genetics. Your visit may last up to one hour and we will review:
If you choose genetic testing, a blood sample can typically be collected the same day as your appointment, in conjunction with a lab draw scheduled for a future date, or from the comfort of your own home. Usually, we only need to collect a small sample of blood (one to two tubes) and you can eat or drink as normal (non-fasting) if testing is done through a blood sample. Genetic testing can also be completed on a saliva sample if needed. Testing through a saliva sample does require you not to eat or drink for 30 minutes prior. We send the sample to a specialized lab for evaluation. In most cases, we receive your results within 2 to 4 weeks.
After receiving your genetic test results, our providers carefully review and discuss the findings with you. We take the time to help you understand what the results mean for your health and whether we recommend any changes to your medical care. We also provide emotional support and guidance on next steps or further testing if needed for yourself and relatives.
If you choose not to have genetic testing, our providers will make recommendations for cancer surveillance based on your personal and family history.
There is no one-sized-fits all genetic test! A visit helps to ensure that the correct genetic test is ordered and helps you understand the risks, benefits and limitations of genetic testing, as well as the implications for you and your family.
The cost of a genetic visit and genetic test varies by insurance. Most insurance companies cover the cost of genetic evaluation minus any copay, unmet deductible or co-insurance.
If you choose to have genetic testing, the specialized genetic lab will bill your insurance directly. Most genetic testing labs will contact you via text, phone or email to discuss your out-of-pocket cost. In general, genetic testing is well covered for people with a personal and or family history of cancer. Most people pay between $0 and $250 for genetic testing. This will be discussed at your visit.
If you have a genetic change or a positive genetic test result, it is important to remember that while this may increase your risk for cancer, it does not mean that you will develop cancer. Not all positive genetic test results have the same meaning. Based on your specific genetic test results, we can discuss your risks, recommend screenings, procedures, and treatment to help prevent cancer or detect cancer early. We will also discuss how your result may impact your family.
Negative test results means the genetic test you had did not find any known genetic changes that cause an increased cancer risk. We may still recommend changes to your medical care based on your family history of cancer. Our team will also talk with you about regular screening and cancer prevention options. A negative genetic test does not mean you have a zero percent chance of developing cancer.
Current genetic testing can successfully identify known mutations, but it is possible there are genes and mutations that have not been discovered yet. As new genes and mutations are discovered, additional testing may be needed in the future.
It is also important to know that Texas Oncology only offers genetic testing for hereditary cancer conditions or syndromes.
The results of genetic counseling and testing are confidential, with very limited exceptions. Neither your health insurance company nor your employer can require you to have genetic testing. It is also against the law (Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act) for health insurance companies or employers to discriminate against someone based on genetic information. This law does not apply to life, disability, or long-term care insurance, nor to military members, very small employers (< 15 employees), or many federal health plans.
Unfortunately, we have observed an increase in Medicare scams around genetic testing. Some companies contact patients directly via phone offering “free genetic testing” that they claim is covered by Medicare. These offers are often scams. Scammers may ask for your Medicare number or personal information and use it to submit fraudulent bills. Testing should always be ordered by your trusted healthcare provider.
If you are unsure, do not share your Medicare number and contact your healthcare team directly.
Our team of specialized genetics providers includes physicians, advanced practice providers (APPs), and certified genetic counselors. We provide personalized genetic counseling and the latest genetic tests, empowering you to be proactive with your health.
During a GREAT visit, we will review your personal and family history to determine the most appropriate genetic testing. Your genetic test requires a small amount of blood or a saliva sample that is collected in the office or at your home. If you are having your blood drawn for genetic testing, you can eat or drink as normal (non-fasting). Testing through a saliva sample does require NO eating or drinking for 30 minutes prior. After we receive your results, we offer personalized preventive strategies, treatment options if appropriate, and discuss implications for your family.
About 5-10% of all cancer is due to a hereditary cause or a gene mutation that can run in the family. There are multiple genes that have been identified to cause an increased risk for cancer. We test for known genetic changes in genes that can increase cancer risk, including BRCA1 and BRCA2, genes associated with Lynch Syndrome and many more.
Texas Oncology does not offer genetic evaluations or genetic testing for genes or syndromes that are not associated with cancer risk. For example, we don’t offer genetic testing for connective tissues disorders like Ehlers Danlos Syndrome or prenatal genetic testing.
Not everyone with a personal or family history of cancer qualifies for or chooses genetic testing. For some people, genetic testing can cause extra worry and anxiety. In these cases, the stress of knowing you may have an increased risk of cancer may outweigh the benefits of testing. Instead of genetic testing, you may still choose to undergo regular cancer screenings and take preventive steps, such as regular checkups and following a healthy lifestyle.
In addition, a negative test result doesn’t mean a person will never get cancer, as most cancers do not run in the family. Genetics is an evolving field; experts cannot yet identify every possible genetic change that may cause cancer.
A genetics appointment at Texas Oncology will be scheduled with a GREAT provider, a provider who is designated to offer genetic evaluations, has specialized training in cancer genetics and who has the immediate support of the genetic counseling team. Find a GREAT Program provider near you and call to schedule an appointment.
At your genetic evaluation, you will meet with a provider with specialized training in genetics. Your visit may last up to one hour and we will review:
If you choose genetic testing, a blood sample can typically be collected the same day as your appointment, in conjunction with a lab draw scheduled for a future date, or from the comfort of your own home. Usually, we only need to collect a small sample of blood (one to two tubes) and you can eat or drink as normal (non-fasting) if testing is done through a blood sample. Genetic testing can also be completed on a saliva sample if needed. Testing through a saliva sample does require you not to eat or drink for 30 minutes prior. We send the sample to a specialized lab for evaluation. In most cases, we receive your results within 2 to 4 weeks.
After receiving your genetic test results, our providers carefully review and discuss the findings with you. We take the time to help you understand what the results mean for your health and whether we recommend any changes to your medical care. We also provide emotional support and guidance on next steps or further testing if needed for yourself and relatives.
If you choose not to have genetic testing, our providers will make recommendations for cancer surveillance based on your personal and family history.
There is no one-sized-fits all genetic test! A visit helps to ensure that the correct genetic test is ordered and helps you understand the risks, benefits and limitations of genetic testing, as well as the implications for you and your family.
The cost of a genetic visit and genetic test varies by insurance. Most insurance companies cover the cost of genetic evaluation minus any copay, unmet deductible or co-insurance.
If you choose to have genetic testing, the specialized genetic lab will bill your insurance directly. Most genetic testing labs will contact you via text, phone or email to discuss your out-of-pocket cost. In general, genetic testing is well covered for people with a personal and or family history of cancer. Most people pay between $0 and $250 for genetic testing. This will be discussed at your visit.
If you have a genetic change or a positive genetic test result, it is important to remember that while this may increase your risk for cancer, it does not mean that you will develop cancer. Not all positive genetic test results have the same meaning. Based on your specific genetic test results, we can discuss your risks, recommend screenings, procedures, and treatment to help prevent cancer or detect cancer early. We will also discuss how your result may impact your family.
Negative test results means the genetic test you had did not find any known genetic changes that cause an increased cancer risk. We may still recommend changes to your medical care based on your family history of cancer. Our team will also talk with you about regular screening and cancer prevention options. A negative genetic test does not mean you have a zero percent chance of developing cancer.
Current genetic testing can successfully identify known mutations, but it is possible there are genes and mutations that have not been discovered yet. As new genes and mutations are discovered, additional testing may be needed in the future.
It is also important to know that Texas Oncology only offers genetic testing for hereditary cancer conditions or syndromes.
The results of genetic counseling and testing are confidential, with very limited exceptions. Neither your health insurance company nor your employer can require you to have genetic testing. It is also against the law (Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act) for health insurance companies or employers to discriminate against someone based on genetic information. This law does not apply to life, disability, or long-term care insurance, nor to military members, very small employers (< 15 employees), or many federal health plans.
Unfortunately, we have observed an increase in Medicare scams around genetic testing. Some companies contact patients directly via phone offering “free genetic testing” that they claim is covered by Medicare. These offers are often scams. Scammers may ask for your Medicare number or personal information and use it to submit fraudulent bills. Testing should always be ordered by your trusted healthcare provider.
If you are unsure, do not share your Medicare number and contact your healthcare team directly.
English
English
English
English
English
