The Complexities of Genetic Counseling and Testing for Hereditary Colon Cancer

Genetic counseling and testing for hereditary colon cancers is rapidly evolving and offers valuable management information for the clinician, the patient, and the entire family. The added genetic testing options have also increased the complexity of the process and underline the necessity of pre- and posttest genetic counseling and accurate ordering and result interpretation. Board-certified genetic counselors can assist gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons in the genetic testing process to improve the likelihood that the correct test is ordered, reduce wasted health care dollars, and accurately interpret test results.