Your Body’s Check Engine Light—Don’t Wait for It to Flash

It's been over three decades since genetic testing was first introduced as a tool for patients at risk of hereditary cancer syndromes. In its early days, genetic testing was expensive and time-consuming (often taking up to eight weeks for results). Fast forward to today and genetic testing is now a routine part of cancer care. It’s more accessible, comprehensive and, perhaps most importantly, significantly impactful for patients and their families.

Physicians help identify patients who could benefit from genetic testing, especially when someone has a personal or family history of cancer. Genetic testing can improve treatment outcomes, guide preventive care and provide vital information for the patient's family.

Benefits of genetic testing

1. Understanding the cause of cancer

One of the most common questions from patients newly diagnosed with cancer is, "Why did this happen to me?" While many cancers are the result of environmental factors, aging and sporadic mutations, genetic testing can offer a more definitive answer. For patients with hereditary cancer, knowing their cancer is genetically driven can help ease feelings of uncertainty and guilt. 

For many, this knowledge brings a sense of empowerment, as they now have the opportunity to make informed decisions regarding their treatment and potential preventive measures for the future. This hereditary cancer risk was present since birth, and there was very little if anything the patient could have done differently throughout their life to prevent their diagnosis.

2. Personalized treatment options

For patients with cancers like breast, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate, identifying genetic mutations (like BRCA mutations) can open the door to personalized therapies. The earlier in the diagnostic process the genetic test is ordered, the quicker the patient can be matched with appropriate treatments.

Knowledge of genetic mutations can also guide surgical decisions. Patients with BRCA-positive breast cancer may be candidates for risk-reducing mastectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy—both of which can lower the risk of future cancers. These decisions are most effective when genetic results are available before surgery.

3. Identification of additional cancer risks

Cancer does not always occur in isolation, especially in patients with hereditary cancer syndromes. For instance, patients with Lynch syndrome, a leading cause of colorectal cancer, are also at increased risk for uterine cancer—up to 60%. If identified before a colon resection, this knowledge could allow a hysterectomy at the same time if necessary, minimizing the risk of a second cancer and optimizing care.

Beyond immediate cancer treatment, genetic testing can also lead to additional screenings that might otherwise be missed. For example, the ATM gene is a known contributor to prostate and breast cancer.  But patients with an ATM gene mutation are also at elevated risk for pancreatic cancer. While general population screening is not typically recommended, high-risk patients should begin annual imaging and/or endoscopic ultrasounds as early as age 50 or 10 years before the earliest known pancreatic cancer in their family.

4. Informed decisions for family members

A cancer diagnosis doesn’t only affect the patient—it impacts their entire family. Once a genetic mutation is identified, relatives can undergo testing to assess their own cancer risk and talk to their care teams about screenings. 

Testing the affected patient first is the most informative strategy for relatives. Patients with negative genetic test results can be reassured that relatives are not at significant risk for the same diagnosis. 

The role of genetic counseling in cancer care

Genetic counselors provide the expertise necessary to interpret complex genetic results, discuss the implications for patients and their families, and offer psychological support throughout the process. Genetic counseling not only helps patients make sense of their genetic test results, but also provides them with the tools to make informed decisions about their health.

Counseling also helps address the emotional and psychological aspects of genetic testing, from potential feelings of anxiety to guilt and even empowerment. Research shows that genetic counseling has a positive impact on patient knowledge, reduces anxiety and can improve overall psychological well-being during a cancer journey.

Learn more about genetic counseling at Wellstar. 

At Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center, something unique is happening in the world of minimally invasive surgery. Nestled right here in Roswell, a multidisciplinary team of robotic surgeons has quietly become one of the most experienced collaborative groups in Metro Atlanta—and across the state of Georgia.

The three surgeons—Dr. Scott Miller (robotic urologic surgery), Dr. Nathan Mordel (robotic gynecologic surgery) and Dr. Jay Singh (robotic colorectal surgery)—have collectively performed close to 9,000 robotic procedures over their careers. While that number is impressive, what it represents matters even more: thousands of patients who have benefited from smaller incisions, faster recoveries and precision that simply wasn’t possible a generation ago.

Although each of the specialties typically addresses distinct conditions, the team often cares for patients whose needs overlap two or even all three areas. These are the moments when a truly coordinated approach matters most. Rather than sending patients to multiple locations or staging separate procedures, the surgeons’ combined expertise allows them to tackle complex, concurrent issues together—efficiently, safely and in one place.

Severe (frozen pelvis) endometriosis is a perfect example of the need for a cooperative surgical approach. This condition affects millions of reproductive age women, invading the genital organs, as well as bladder, ureters, colon and rectum, thus deteriorating their quality of life. Concurrent robotic intervention by urological, colorectal and gynecological surgeons simultaneously treats all three organ systems—and on a mostly outpatient basis.

This collaborative model has become a defining strength of robotic surgery at Wellstar North Fulton. When specialists operate side-by-side, the conversation doesn’t just happen in the clinic—it continues in the operating room, where careful planning and shared experience translate into smoother procedures and better outcomes. Patients may not witness the teamwork directly, but they absolutely feel its benefits during their recovery.

Equally important, Wellstar has invested years in refining our techniques with next-generation robotic systems, which offer enhanced visualization, improved dexterity and precise tissue handling. Whether treating prostate conditions, complex colorectal disease or gynecologic disorders, robotics allows us to deliver the best aspects of minimally invasive surgery while maintaininga high level of surgical control.

Roswell may not be the first place people imagine when they think of cutting-edge surgical innovation, but the reality is that our community has become a hub for it. With a concentrated depth of experience rarely found in a single hospital, Wellstar North Fulton is leading the way in advanced robotic procedures across Georgia.

For us, the mission is simple: three specialties, one purpose—to give every patient access to the highest level of surgical care, in their neighborhood.

Visit wellstar.org/northfulton to learn more about care at Wellstar North Fulton. Call (470) 956-4230 to schedule with Dr. Miller, (470) 956-4590 to schedule with Dr. Mordel and (470) 267-1930 to schedule with Dr. Singh.

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