The Hereditary Cancer Program, Division of Human Genetics

Evaluating Families for Familial and Hereditary Cancer

What Are Hereditary Cancers?

Certain families have multiple members affected with cancer because they share a common genetic factor, or altered gene, that is inherited. People in these families may have a significantly increased risk of developing cancer. About 5 to 10 percent of all cancers are hereditary, and over 100 different genetic conditions are associated with an increased chance to develop cancer.

How This Program Helps

People with a family history of cancer often worry about themselves or their children’s risk for developing cancer. Our goal is to provide individual risk assessment that can be incorporated into your ongoing medical care.

Some patients are reassured to learn that their own cancer risk is lower than expected. For individuals who are found to be at high risk, their physician may suggest careful observation and screening. Early detection can be extremely important.

Why Should You Consider Genetic Counseling?

The Hereditary Cancer Program may help anyone concerned about their risk for developing cancer.

Individuals with any of the following may benefit from our program:

• A cancer diagnosis at an early age, for example, colon cancer diagnosed under the age of 50.
• Individuals with more than one cancer, such as bilateral breast cancer (affecting both breasts).
• Family member(s) with cancer.
• Rare or unusual cancers.
• Multiple family members with the same type of cancer.
• Relatives with a known genetic predisposition to cancer.

We are also happy to evaluate any family that seems to have an unusual history of cancer but does not exactly meet these criteria.

Our Services Include

• Complete evaluation of your family history; medical records are often requested in order to confirm diagnoses.
• Individualized genetic cancer risk assessment, for yourself and your family.
• Discussion of appropriate screening and management options.
• Discussion of the benefits, limitations and implications of genetic testing.
• Storage of DNA can be arranged in anticipation of future testing.
• Interpretation of genetic test results and the impact on medical management. Results of genetic testing are disclosed at a separate, scheduled appointment.

Patient Confidentiality: Our Priority

All records from patient consultation sessions and genetic test results are maintained in a secure chart in the Hereditary Cancer Program office.

Access to these records will not be allowed unless authorized in writing by the patient.

Mission of the Hereditary Cancer Program

• To share up-to-date information about causes, detection, treatment and prevention of cancer.
• To provide information about hereditary cancer and genetic testing to healthcare providers, patients, and the public.
• To enable participation in research protocols.
• To use genetic cancer risk assessment to assist medical providers in early identification of individuals at high risk of developing cancer. Genetic information can then be incorporated into medical management to increase early detection and prevention.