CentraState expands its cancer services by offering genetic counseling
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP—The Statesir Cancer Center at CentraState Medical Center is proud to announce it began offering cancer genetic counseling earlier this month by way of its oncology affiliation with the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center. Board-certified genetic counselors will become a vital part of CentraState’s cancer services and will be available on the first and third Tuesday of every month in The Statesir Cancer Center, 901 W. Main Street, Freehold.
Genetic counselors provide hereditary cancer risk assessments for patients. During a patient’s initial genetic counseling session, a complete medical and three-generational family history will be obtained from the patient and pathology reports will be reviewed. In most cases, appropriate genetic testing will be offered and completed at the patient’s initial visit. Sometimes, additional medical records are needed before the genetic counselor can make any testing recommendations. Once all of the test results have been received and reviewed, a follow-up visit will be scheduled to discuss the results and any medical management/surveillance recommendations based upon nationally recognized and established guidelines set by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). A consult note also will be generated after each visit and forwarded to the patient’s referring physician.
Most private insurance companies, as well as Medicare, cover a genetic counseling session. If the patient fulfills the insurer’s criteria for genetic testing—the diagnostic testing may also be covered. Genetic counselors work with the insurers to provide all the required documentation, including consult notes and letters of medical necessity.
For more information about genetic counseling and genetic testing, or to schedule an appointment with a genetic counselor at The Statesir Cancer Center at CentraState Medical Center, call CentraState’s Central Scheduling at (732) 294-2778.
About CentraState Medical Center
CentraState Healthcare System is a nonprofit community health organization consisting of an acute-care hospital, a health and wellness campus, three senior living communities, a Family Medicine Residency Program, and a charitable foundation. CentraState’s teaching program is sponsored by Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. CentraState Medical Center is accredited by the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) Commission on Cancer (CoC) for quality excellence and has been designated as a Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program.
About Hackensack University Medical Center
HackensackUMC, a non-profit teaching and research hospital located in Bergen County, New Jersey, is the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in the state, and home to the only Level II Trauma Center in the county. HackensackUMC was listed as the number one hospital in New Jersey and one of the top four New York metro area hospitals by the U.S. News & World Report, and has received nine national rankings including for cancer.
About John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center
John Theurer Cancer Center is New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive cancer center dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, management, research, screenings, preventive care, as well as survivorship of patients with all types of cancer.
Each year, more people in the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area turn to John Theurer Cancer Center for cancer care than to any other facility in New Jersey. The 14 specialized divisions feature a team of medical, research, nursing and support staff with specialized expertise that translates into more advanced, focused care for all patients. John Theurer Cancer Center provides comprehensive multidisciplinary care, state of the art technology, and access to clinical trials, compassionate care and medical expertise— all under one roof. Physicians at John Theurer Cancer Center are members of Regional Cancer Care Associates, one of the nation’s largest professional hematology/oncology groups.
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