ClearPath Blog

Articles from board-certified genetic counselors.

• Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Beyond Lynch Syndrome: Understanding the Polyposis Syndromes — Lynch syndrome is not the only hereditary cause of colorectal cancer. Here is how the polyposis syndromes work, how many colon polyps may point to a genetic cause, and when genetic counseling makes sense.
• Why Two People With the Same Gene Variant Can Have Very Different Cancer Risks — Carrying a hereditary cancer variant does not mean cancer is certain. Here''s what penetrance means, why risk estimates are given as ranges, and what shifts risk from one person to the next.
• Hereditary Cancer Variants and Family Planning: What Your Options Are — Carrying a hereditary cancer variant does not stand in the way of having a family. Here's how inheritance works, what reproductive options exist, and why testing a partner or donor sometimes matters.
• Diagnosed With Cancer? Why You Should Consider Genetic Testing, and How to Ask for It — Genetic testing isn't always offered when you're diagnosed with cancer, even when guidelines recommend it. Here's why testing matters after a diagnosis, who qualifies under current guidelines, and how to advocate for yourself.
• Your Genetic Test Didn't Find a Mutation. Why Your Family History Still Guides Your Care. — An uninformative negative or uncertain genetic result doesn't erase your family history. Here's why it still drives screening and prevention — and what that can look like across breast, colorectal, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer.
• Navigating a BRCA+ Result: A Breast Surgeon's Guide on What Comes Next — A positive BRCA result doesn't mean you have cancer — it means you have information. Guest breast surgeon Dr. Heather Richardson of Bedford Breast Center walks through screening, preventive surgery, hormone therapy, and family testing options.
• The Cancers People Don't Realize Can Be Hereditary — Most people associate hereditary cancer with breast and ovarian cancer, but prostate, pancreatic, colorectal, uterine, stomach, and other cancers can run in families too. Here are the family-history red flags worth knowing.
• At What Age Should You Get Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk? — There is no single right age for hereditary cancer genetic testing. The timing depends on your family history, the specific genes involved, and where you are in life. Here's how to think about when testing makes sense for you.
• Understanding a Variant of Uncertain Significance: What a VUS Means and Doesn't Mean — A variant of uncertain significance (VUS) is one of the most common — and most misunderstood — genetic testing results. Here's what a VUS actually means, what it doesn't, and why medical decisions are never based on a VUS alone.
• What Cascade Testing Actually Means (and Why It Matters for Your Family) — When one relative tests positive for a hereditary cancer variant, first-degree family members have a 50 percent chance of carrying the same variant. Here is how cascade testing works and why a genetic counseling conversation matters before family members test.
• Pancreatic Cancer and Genetic Testing: What to Know About Your Risk and Your Family's — Up to 10 percent of pancreatic cancer cases are hereditary. NCCN now recommends genetic testing for anyone diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and for many people with a family history. Here's what to know about the genes involved, when testing is recommended, and what screening options exist.
• Ashkenazi Jewish Ancestry and Hereditary Cancer Risk: What You Should Know — When someone mentions that they are of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry in a genetic counseling appointment, the conversation almost always shifts, because the testing recommendations for Ashkenazi Jewish people are genuinely different from the recommendations for the general population.
• Beyond BRCA1, BRCA2, and Lynch Syndrome: The Other Hereditary Cancer Genes Worth Knowing — BRCA1, BRCA2, and Lynch syndrome get most of the attention, but multigene panels routinely uncover variants in genes like PALB2, CHEK2, and ATM. Here is what those results mean.
• Is Prostate Cancer Hereditary? What Men and Their Families Need to Know — Prostate cancer can run in families. Learn how to tell if yours might be hereditary, what genetic testing reveals, and how results shape treatment and screening.
• Should You Consider Genetic Testing for Cancer? 10 Reasons to Talk to a Genetic Counselor — Genetic testing isn't just for people with strong family histories. Here are 10 reasons you might consider hereditary cancer testing — from clinical red flags to proactive longevity planning.
• 7 Common Myths About Genetic Testing for Cancer (and the Truth Behind Them) — From "I don't have a family history" to "it will affect my insurance," these are the most common myths about genetic testing for cancer — and what's actually true.
• Men and Hereditary Cancer: Why Genetic Testing Isn't Just a Women's Health Topic — Men carry, pass on, and are affected by hereditary cancer variants like BRCA and Lynch syndrome at the same rate as women. Here's why genetic testing matters for men — and what screening looks like.
• Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing vs. Clinical Genetic Testing: What's the Difference? — DTC tests like 23andMe, ancestry kits, and nutrigenomic panels are not the same as clinical genetic testing. Here's what each one can — and can't — tell you about your cancer risk.
• Lynch Syndrome: The Most Common Hereditary Cancer Syndrome You Might Not Know About — Lynch syndrome is the most common hereditary cancer syndrome, raising risk for colorectal, endometrial, and other cancers. Here's what to know about testing, screening, and management.
• Genetic Testing and Insurance: What's Actually Covered and What Are Your Rights? — Wondering if insurance covers genetic testing for cancer? Here's what's covered, what it costs out of pocket, and how GINA protects you.
• How to Talk to Your Family About Genetic Testing — Sharing genetic test results with family can feel overwhelming. Here's a practical guide to starting the conversation, what to say, and why it matters.
• What Your Genetic Test Results Actually Mean — Got genetic test results and not sure what they mean? Here's a clear explanation of positive, negative, and VUS results — and what comes next for each.
• BRCA1 and BRCA2: What These Genes Actually Do and Why They Matter — BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the most well-known cancer risk genes, but most people don't fully understand them. Here's what they do, who should consider testing, and what a positive result actually means.
• What Actually Happens During a Genetic Counseling Appointment — Wondering what to expect at a cancer genetic counseling appointment? Here's a step-by-step walkthrough of the pre-test session, post-test results review, and everything in between — so nothing feels unfamiliar when you show up.
• Beyond Your Genes: How Everyday Choices Shape Your Cancer Risk — Your DNA is only part of the picture. Here's what the research says about how diet, exercise, sleep, and stress influence cancer risk, and what you can do about it.
• What Your Family Tree Might Be Telling You About Cancer Risk — Most cancer isn't inherited, but 5–10% is driven by genetic changes passed through families. Here are five family history patterns worth paying attention to.