Grand Valley Oncology
Grand Junction, CO 81505
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Community Hospital’s Grand Valley Oncology is committed to improving our patients and their families’ quality of life right here on the Western Slope. We understand that access to care, comfort and compassion is important in treating cancer. In recognizing this we offer a patient-centered approach that treats the whole patient and not just the disease. We put patients first.
Genetic Counseling
Genetic counseling is the process of reviewing your personal and family history to determine if you and/or your family members may have an increased risk for specific health conditions. People with a family history of cancer have a higher risk of getting cancer. Only 5-10 percent of all cancers are caused by inherited mutations.
A genetic counselor can help you make informed decisions about your health care. Information obtained from genetic risk assessment and testing can:
- Be used to create a personalized screening and risk reduction plan.
- Provide information about risks to your family members.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with our certified genetic counselor, please ask your primary care provider for a referral for genetic counseling. Once the referral is received, our office will contact you to schedule the appointment. Referrals can be sent to Grand Valley Oncology, (phone 970-644-3180, fax 970-644-3198).
Signs that you and/or your family may benefit from genetic counseling:
- Several members on the same side of the family with the same kind or related types of cancer
- Cancer diagnosed at a young age (breast, colon or uterine cancer before 50)
- Family members with more than one kind of cancer (ex. breast and ovarian cancer, colon and uterine cancer)
- Family members with rare cancers (ex. ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, male breast cancer)
During a genetic counseling consultation, you and the genetic counselor will discuss:
- Personal and/or family history of cancer
- Personalized risk calculations & chance of having an inherited cancer syndrome
- Recommendations made about cancer screening and prevention
- Genetic testing options, costs and insurance coverage
Is genetic counseling covered by my insurance?
For most patients, genetic counseling is covered by insurance. A benefits review will be completed before you are contacted to schedule an appointment. If genetic counseling is not covered by your insurance, you will be contacted by a Grand Valley Oncology staff member to discuss cost and payment options.
Is genetic testing covered by my insurance?
Genetic testing is covered for many patients depending on personal and family history of specific health conditions. During your genetic counseling session you will discuss:
- Whether or not you meet criteria for genetic testing
- Possible out-of-pocket expenses
