Ochsner Health is the leading nonprofit healthcare provider in the Gulf South. Ochsner inspires healthier lives and stronger communities through our mission to serve, heal, lead, educate and innovate.
Ochsner launches Genetic Wellness Assessment to identify cancer risks early
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana – Ochsner Baton Rouge announces the launch of its Genetic Wellness Assessment, an innovative screening tool offered at no cost to help identify individuals at risk for hereditary cancers. The Genetic Wellness Assessment is available for adults interested in learning more about their cancer risk at Ochsner.org/GeneticWellnessSurvey.
The Genetic Wellness Assessment allows individuals to determine whether they may have a higher genetic risk of developing cancer by answering a few simple questions that evaluate individual risk factors. Those identified as having a high risk, or anyone interested in further evaluation, can schedule an appointment to discuss genetic testing. The results of genetic testing are used by healthcare providers to offer personalized recommendations for cancer screening, prevention and further evaluation for patients and family members.
“This new assessment is a very valuable tool for everyone, especially those who have cancer in their family history,” said Burke J. Brooks Jr., MD, hematologist and oncologist at Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Baton Rouge. “If we identify patients as being genetically predisposed for cancer, we can build a customized plan to help prevent cancer from developing or detect it early when it’s most treatable.”
How it works
Adults interested in taking the assessment can visit Ochsner.org/GeneticWellnessSurvey to complete the Genetic Wellness Assessment at no cost. The assessment evaluates a patient’s personal and family history of cancer to identify their risk of having a genetic cancer syndrome.
If a patient is identified as high risk, they are offered genetic counseling, testing and a personalized cancer screening and prevention plan.
Why it matters
It’s estimated that hereditary cancer syndrome, like Lynch syndrome or hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, are responsible for about 1 in 8 cancers. These conditions increase the risk of developing cancer at a younger age or in multiple family members.
By identifying these risks early, Ochsner helps patients take preventive actions, such as specialized screenings or treatments that can improve outcomes. Ochsner offers complete care and support through its Hereditary Cancer & High-Risk Program to ensure patients receive personalized attention and resources.
“Advancements in genomics and precision medicine are transforming how we approach cancer prevention and treatment,” said Marc Matrana, MD, system medical director of precision medicine, Ochsner Health. “This program empowers patients with knowledge about their risk of developing cancer and connects them with a multidisciplinary team of experts to ensure they and their families receive the best in cancer prevention, early detection and treatment.”
For more than 80 years, Ochsner has been dedicated to cancer research and new cancer therapy development, bringing innovations to treatment with more clinical trials than anywhere else in Louisiana. It is accredited by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American College of Radiology, the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (Bone Marrow Transplant) and the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers.
Cancer care at Ochsner is recognized by U.S. News & World Report, ranking as high performing in leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma treatment, and colon, lung and prostate cancer surgeries. The Ochsner Cancer Institute treats more than 40,000 patients each year and has cared for patients from all 50 states and 28 countries.
Individual care teams for Ochsner cancer patients include as many as 20 multidisciplinary specialists working together to provide high-quality treatment for patients. Ochsner's clinical integration with MD Anderson Cancer Center provides patients access to cancer treatments that are among the most advanced in the nation. Through this collaboration, Ochsner is the first and only provider in Louisiana with a fully integrated cancer program based on MD Anderson’s standards and treatment plans.
Ochsner continues to lead the way in advancing medical genetics and cancer prevention strategies. With three geneticists and 16 genetic counselors across multiple specialties, Ochsner has the only robust precision medicine program in Louisiana. Ochsner’s Genetic Wellness Assessment will significantly improve access to essential hereditary cancer care as it expands to additional regions and patient populations across the Gulf South. For more information about the Genetic Wellness Assessment visit Ochsner.org/GeneticWellnessSurvey
To learn more about the Ochsner cancer treatment program visit Ochsner.org/services/precision-medicine.
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About Ochsner Baton Rouge
With 650 physicians and advanced practice providers across the area, Ochsner Baton Rouge includes Ochsner Medical Center - Baton Rouge, a full-service, award-winning 150-bed hospital, and Ochsner Medical Complex – The Grove, which offers a short-stay and outpatient surgery center, primary care and specialty services like cardiology, neurology, women’s services and the Shaquille O’Neal Pediatric Super Clinic. Ochsner delivers care closer to home with more than 40 health clinics, urgent care and health-and-wellness centers in Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes, including Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center – Baton Rouge and Ochsner Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute at Elite Training Complex – Burbank. Ochsner Baton Rouge has been recognized for excellence and quality of care by Becker’s Hospital Review, Healthgrades, Truven Health Analytics and Leapfrog. Ochsner Baton Rouge is a part of Ochsner Health. To learn more about Ochsner Baton Rouge, please visit our website and follow us on Facebook.
About Ochsner Health
Ochsner Health is the leading nonprofit healthcare provider in the Gulf South, delivering expert care at its 47 hospitals and more than 370 health and urgent care centers. For 14 consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has recognized Ochsner as the No. 1 hospital in Louisiana. Additionally, Ochsner Children’s has been recognized as the No. 1 hospital for kids in Louisiana for five consecutive years. Ochsner inspires healthier lives and stronger communities through a combination of standard-setting expertise, quality and connection not found anywhere else in the region. In 2024, Ochsner Health cared for more than 1.6 million people from every state in the nation and 63 countries. Ochsner’s workforce includes more than 40,000 dedicated team members and over 4,900 employed and affiliated physicians. To learn more about how Ochsner empowers people to get well and stay well, visit https://www.ochsner.org/.
