Cancer Genetic Testing

Understand your inherited cancer risk with genetic counseling and testing at the Cancer Resource Center at William R. Bliss Cancer Center—a partnership between Mary Greeley Medical Center and McFarland Clinic in Ames, Iowa.

How Genes Influence Cancer Risk

Up to 10% of all cancer cases are linked to inherited genetic mutations. Understanding whether your genetic makeup increases your risk of cancer allows you to make proactive, informed decisions about your health.

Do I Need Genetic Counseling or Testing?

You may benefit from a genetic risk assessment if you or your immediate family members have experienced:

Breast cancer diagnosed before age 50
Colorectal cancer before age 50 or more than 20 colorectal polyps over a lifetime
Endometrial (uterine) cancer before age 50
Melanoma (skin cancer
Ovarian cancer
Pancreatic cancer

Ask your doctor for a referral to our cancer genetics program for testing and counseling services.

Genetic Risk Education & Counseling

Before testing, you’ll meet with a genetic risk educator at the Cancer Resource Center to:

Review your personal and family health history
Assess your inherited risk for various cancers
Explain what genetic testing involves and how results may affect your care

Genetic Testing

A genetic test analyzes your DNA, looking for gene changes and examining your chromosomes. If you decide to get a genetic test, we’ll draw a blood sample and send it to a lab for examination. When the results are ready, you’ll get a call to review them with your genetic risk educator.

We’ll also send the results to your doctor. Talk to your doctor about what the results mean for your health care.

How Genetic Testing Works

A genetic test analyzes your DNA to detect mutations or abnormal gene changes that could increase your cancer risk. If you choose to move forward with testing:

We’ll draw a small blood sample
Your sample is sent to a certified lab for analysis
A genetic risk educator will review the results with you by phone or in person

Results are also shared with your healthcare provider, who can guide next steps in your personalized care plan.

Check Your Cancer Risk Online

Take a quick, secure risk assessment to see if you're eligible for high-risk cancer screening or genetic testing. This HIPAA-compliant tool reviews your family and personal health history to calculate a personalized risk score for you and your doctor.

Start A Risk Assessment

If you have questions, please call our Cancer Resource Center 515-956-6440, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.