Decision Checklists & Tip Sheets

This tool allows you to create customized documents to help you make informed medical decisions and prepare for surgeries or procedures.

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on our community support offerings.

Directions

STEP 1

Select a Decision Checklist or Tip Sheet. You can type in the box to filter the list.

STEP 2

Click a topic to choose questions/tips or select "Check all in this topic."

STEP 3

Click the “Save checklist” button. Only the tips or questions you select will be saved on your downloaded version

STEP 4

Click "Download" to save or print your checklist. Note: Checklists won't be saved after closing the page.

Select a checklist or tip sheet (Type to filter)

Checklist: Signs of an Inherited Mutation and How to Get Genetic Testing

Cancer is common, and most cancers are not caused by an inherited mutation. However, certain patterns in your personal or family history—sometimes called "red flags"—may suggest that cancer could run in your family. These signs can help you decide whether it’s worth learning more.

If you or someone in your family has had cancer, it may be related to an inherited genetic change called a mutation. Genetic testing is a lab test performed on blood or saliva that can help you learn if there is an inherited mutation causing cancer in your family.

This tip sheet can help you learn the signs that cancer may run in your family, understand your chance of having an inherited mutation, decide whether genetic testing might be right for you, and know what steps to take next if you choose to get tested.

Common signs of an inherited mutation

Open

Check any signs or risk factors that apply to you or your close blood relatives, including: parents, children, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

If you check one or more boxes, you may benefit from meeting with a genetics expert to learn whether genetic testing is right for you. Save or print your results and share them with your healthcare provider. Together, you can discuss your family history, cancer risk, and whether genetic counseling or genetic testing may be helpful.

At the end of this checklist, you'll find information about the next steps for genetic counseling and genetic testing.

Questions for your doctor or genetic counselor

Open

These decisions can be overwhelming and you may have a lot of questions but don’t know exactly what to ask. Here is a list of commonly asked questions you may ask your medical provider, insurance company and/or genetic counselor.

Additional Information

Open

Steps for genetic testing

  1. Gather your family health history. Genetic testing is most informative for you and your family if you can gather as much information about the health and history of cancer in your family.
  2. Speak with a genetics expert.;
    • If you are undecided about genetic testing, a genetics expert can answer your questions and help you make an informed decision based on your personal situation and preferences.
    • If genetic testing has been recommended but you have decided not to pursue it, a genetics expert can help ensure that your decision is based on facts and in your best interest.
    • If you know you would like to pursue genetic testing, a genetics expert can help ensure that your decision is based on facts and in your best interest.
  3. Once your test is ordered, a saliva or blood sample will be sent to the lab for genetic testing.
  4. You should receive your results in 2-6 weeks. Quicker testing may be available for people who need results sooner in order to make treatment decisions.
  5. Speak with a genetics expert after genetic testing for post-test counseling. They will explain what your results mean for you and your family and outline your medical options.

Insurance coverage and paying for genetic testing

  • Most private health insurers cover genetic counseling and testing with low or no out-of-pocket costs for people who meet national guidelines for testing.
  • If your health plan does not cover the full cost of testing, or you do not have health insurance, you may be able to receive testing from a reputable lab for $350 or less.
  • Many laboratories and some nonprofit organizations offer financial assistance or low-cost testing options for people experiencing financial hardship. Visit:https://bit.ly/force-paying-for-testingfor more information.

Next steps for people who test positive for a mutation

  • After testing, a genetics expert will explain the meaning of your results and your medical options.
  • Many genes associated with hereditary cancer have expert guidelines for treating cancer or managing risk. If you test positive for a mutation, it's important to know the guidelines for your gene. Visit: bit.ly/force-genes for gene-based guidelines.
  • Blood relatives, even distant ones, may share the same mutation that runs in a family. It is important to communicate with as many relatives as you can about cancer in the family. Visit FORCE's page on sharing information with relatives:bit.ly/force-family-sharing.

Resources

Types of documents you can create:

Decision Checklists

When making medical decisions, it’s important to gather reliable information from your healthcare team. Asking questions and discussing benefits and risks with your healthcare team can help you choose the options that align with your values, lifestyle, and long-term goals.

Tip Sheets

Preparing for surgery can be stressful. We have compiled tips that will help you prepare for common surgeries and procedures that may be part of your hereditary cancer care.

Additional Resources

Get Matched

With a trained volunteer who understands the decisions you are facing for personalized 1:1 phone support.

LEARN MORE

Attend a virtual meeting

on Zoom for group support, connection and comfort.

LEARN MORE

Request Help

to customize your checklist.

LEARN MORE

Loading...