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This week: Genetic counseling for cancer, new brain tumor treatment

Most cancers are not hereditary, but in cases where patients or their doctors believe they may be at risk for an inherited cancer, genetic counseling may be of use. Upstate Cancer Center genetic counselor Jason Shandler explains how cancer risk is assessed, the different types of mutations and whether you can gain relevant information from commercial DNA testing services. He also talks about genetic concerns with breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancers in this week's "HealthLink on Air."

Also this week, patients with brain tumors may be candidates for GammaTile Therapy, a new way of delivering radiation after a surgeon removes the tumor. Upstate neurosurgeon Harish Babu explains how the tiles, the size of a postage stamp, are placed in the brain after surgery, compares GammaTile to more traditional types of radiation and explains what patients can expect. Babu is the co-director of the Brain Tumor Program at Upstate and director of minimally invasive neurosurgery.

Listen to Healthlink on Air every Sunday at 6 a.m. on WRVO.

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