Issue 46 | October 2026

When we first connected with Jessica Heinzmann, MS, CGC, it was through Atlantic Health’s Menopause Journey in Cancer Survivorship series. But after listening to several of Jessica’s previous programs on hereditary cancer and genetic testing, we realized her work had an important midlife story of its own.

 

Jessica sees women in their 50s and 60s come into genetic counseling focused almost entirely on what their results might mean for their children, sometimes overlooking what that same information could mean for their own health. At the same time, family histories change, genetic testing continues to evolve, and results that seemed settled years ago may be worth revisiting. In this Spotlight, Jessica helps us understand when genetic counseling may be useful, what has changed in testing, and why women should remain part of their own health equation at every age.

 

 

Jessica Heinzmann, MS, CGC, is a board-certified, licensed genetic counselor at Atlantic Health System.  She received her undergraduate degree in biology from Rutgers University and her master's in genetic counseling from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.  She has specialized in cancer genetics for over twenty years.  She counsels patients and their families who are at high risk and discusses the pros and cons of genetic testing, implications of test results for the patient and their relatives, as well as insurance issues.  She also regularly provides lectures to the community and physicians to educate them about genetic counseling and testing.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, gardening and spending time with her husband and two sons. 

 

A: Any individual may consider cancer genetic counseling based on a personal or family history of cancer. Some “red flags” are early onset cancer, such as breast and/or colon cancer under age 50, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, and male breast cancer. We also see individuals who are adopted or do not know much about their biological family history and would like genetic testing to gather information about their risk.

 

A: I want women to understand that they matter at any age. While genetic testing has huge implications for the family, including children, siblings and extended relatives, it is valuable information for the individual as well. The goal of cancer genetic testing is to try to prevent a cancer or at least catch something at its earliest stage. Based on a genetic marker, we may recommend that a woman in her 60s preventatively remove her ovaries or undergo increased colonoscopies. Most of these genetic conditions do not have upper age limits as to when to stop screening, so it continues to be an ongoing conversation.

 

A lot of women, regardless of their age, are caregivers, whether of their children or aging parents, etc. I often tell patients the best thing they can do for their family is to take care of themselves and stay healthy for them. They can also be a role model for others and lead by example, showing the importance of prioritizing your health.

 

A: Any change to your personal or family history of cancer should prompt you to get in touch with your healthcare provider. It could be as simple as messaging your provider through the portal and asking if the new family history warrants additional screening or a referral to genetics. You do not need to wait until your next annual visit.

 

It is also important to know that the majority of cancers are not hereditary. Most people who have a personal or family history of cancer will test negative on a genetic test. It is still important to share your family history with your physicians and be followed appropriately. For example, if you have a strong family history of breast cancer and have had negative genetic testing, you still may be eligible for increased breast surveillance.

 

A: We have an ongoing relationship with our patients and often meet with them years later as their children need to consider testing. If someone is positive, we review when their children should be tested, how to explain results to family members, and provide them with tools and resources to guide the conversation.

Genetic testing is a family process, and sharing the results with our young children or adult children is a part of that. We all wish to naturally protect our children, but sharing genetic test results and giving them the power to make informed health decisions is a part of that protection.

It can, however, be an overwhelming experience, particularly for patients who have relatives who do not want to undergo genetic testing or choose a different management approach, such as increased screening versus preventative surgery.

A lot of women also feel guilt about passing down mutations to their children. On the other side, some people who test negative and are low risk may feel guilty that other relatives carry a genetic mutation and they do not. Genetic testing is not just about the health risks; there are a lot of emotional and psychological ramifications as well.

 

Genetic information can change over time, across generations, and throughout a woman’s own life. The conversation does not end with the test.

 

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