Cancer Prevention Program

Preventing cancer from developing at all — or detecting it as early as possible — is the goal of Premier Health’s comprehensive Cancer Prevention Program. The process begins with patients completing a screening questionnaire to determine personal cancer risk due to family history or genetics. Depending on your risk factors and your provider’s recommendations, you may also choose to have:

Genetic counseling
Genetic testing
Going forward, increased or earlier cancer screenings and/or interventions that could prevent cancer

Cancer Risk Screening Process

The Cancer Prevention Program is available to patients in select Premier Physician Network primary care and gynecology offices. The process is simple, convenient, and completely voluntary.

During an annual wellness visit — or your first wellness visit as a new patient (ages 18 to 80) — you’ll answer a questionnaire with a few screening questions about your family and personal history of cancer. If you want to complete the screening but aren’t a new patient or don’t want to wait for your annual wellness visit, you may request the questionnaire from your provider.
Your answers will determine if you’re an appropriate candidate for genetic testing. If so, you’ll watch a three-minute video that explains hereditary cancer risk and how genetic testing can help you learn more about your personal cancer risk. Then your provider will join you in the exam room. Based on your questionnaire responses, your provider advises on whether you should speak with a patient educator, who is a board-certified genetic counselor, as part of your appointment.
If your doctor recommends additional education and you wish to proceed, in the same visit you can speak with a certified genetic counselor from Myriad Genetics by phone. The counselor asks you about family medical history and notifies your provider if you’re a candidate for genetic testing. There is no cost for the this education.
If you’re eligible and agree to proceed, you’ll have blood drawn for genetic testing that includes a panel of 35 genes associated with eight hereditary cancer types. It’s sent to Myriad Genetics laboratories for analysis.
When results come in (usually in four to six weeks), your provider will share them with you. Together, you and your doctor make a personalized plan for your care to address any cancer risks. Your plan may include making a schedule for important cancer screenings, such as mammograms or colonoscopies, and addressing lifestyle issues, such as a healthful diet plan, exercise, decreasing alcohol use, and quitting unhealthy habits, such as smoking.
You also can opt for a follow-up conversation with the genetic counselor, at your convenience and at no additional charge, to review the results in detail and discuss any questions you might have.

Insurance Coverage

Most insurance companies cover the cost of genetic testing. If you qualify for testing, Myriad Genetics will verify your insurance coverage and notify you of any costs before you decide to proceed. You may also check with your insurance company to determine if your plan covers genetic testing.

Practices Offering the Cancer Prevention Program

Premier Physician Network continues to expand the Cancer Prevention Program to more primary care and gynecology offices. Check with your provider to see if they’re participating. These practices currently offer hereditary cancer screening:

Gynecology Practices

Primary Care Practices

Contact Us

Call the Premier Health cancer hotline at (844) 316-HOPE(844) 316-4673 (4673), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to connect with a Premier Health cancer navigator.