The Center for Cancer Risk Assessment provides information about hereditary risk of cancer and genetic testing options to patients and their healthcare providers. Information gained through genetic counseling and genetic testing for hereditary cancer conditions can assist in learning your risk of getting cancer, your family members’ risks of cancer and methods for reducing cancer risk or detecting cancer early.

Not all cancer is hereditary, it is estimated that 5-10% of cancer is due to hereditary causes. You are more likely to have a hereditary cause to the cancer in your family if:

• More than one family member has the same or related types of cancer
• A family member was diagnosed with cancer at an early age
• A family member has had cancer twice (such as bilateral primary breast cancers)
• More than one generation in the family is affected by the same or related cancers
• A family member has other features of a hereditary cancer condition and/or you are a member of an at-risk ethnic group (such as Ashkenazi Jewish)

Services

• Genetic counseling and testing
• Additional appointments with our program physicians, physicians with expertise in cancer and genetics, who will provide individualized cancer management and surveillance recommendations for patients and families.
• Opportunities to be involved in genetics research
• Access to our psychiatric support services affiliated with the Center for Cancer Risk Assessment and the Cancer Fatigue Clinic. To find out more about the Fatigue Clinic, please see the HOPES calendar.
• Referral to clinicians in the Avon Foundation Comprehensive Breast Evaluation Center in order to provide long-term cancer screening and management

Genetic counseling appointments usually are approximately 60 minutes in length for the first session and 30 minutes for any follow-up sessions that are required. Most patients that decide to have genetic testing have two genetic counseling sessions in total. During your genetic counseling appointment(s) the following issues will be addressed:

• Review of your personal and family history of cancer (please bring pathology records and family trees, if possible, to your appointment)
• Explanation of your risk for having a hereditary cancer condition
• Education regarding the genetic causes of cancer
• Outline of the potential advantages and disadvantages of genetic testing
• Assistance with insurance coverage for your genetic test (if desired)
• Information about any potential genetic discrimination risk and legal protections
• Facilitation of genetic testing, if relevant and desired
• Review of cancer risks to your family members and genetic testing options
• Provision of general recommendations for cancer prevention and surveillance
• Optional participation in research
• Chart your family medical history
• Learn About the BRACAnalysis Testing
• Download program brochure (pdf)

Gastrointestinal Cancer Genetics Program
Genetic counseling regarding personal/family history of gastrointestinal cancers such as colon or gastric cancers and/or colon polyps. Health management will be discussed with a gastroenterologist or oncologist with an expertise in genetics. Read More

Melanoma Genetics Program
Information regarding the current knowledge of melanoma genetics and testing. The screening and management issues are discussed by a dermatologist with an expertise in genetics. Read More

von Hippel-Lindau Disease/Familial Renal Cancer Program
Genetic counseling regarding inherited forms of renal cancer, including VHL. Inheritance and genetic testing will be discussed. A comprehensive management approach will be used to provide care for individuals and their at risk family members. Read More

Cancer Genetics Research
Our program physicians and genetic counselors participate in group (consortia) studies and generate our own research on the topic of cancer genetics. We have studies available for specific cancer syndromes as well as cancer treatment and screening studies. Eligible patients are invited by our staff to join studies, as desired. Outside referrals for research participation are also welcome.

• Breast and Ovarian Cancer Genetics Program Research Director - Paula D. Ryan, MD, PhD
• Gastrointestinal Cancer Genetics Program Research Director – Daniel C. Chung, MD
• von Hippel-Lindau/Hereditary Renal Cancer Program Research
  Director – Othon Iliopoulos, MD
• Melanoma Genetics Program Research
  Director – Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD

To schedule an appointment, please contact us:
Center for Cancer Risk Assessment
Massachusetts General Hospital
55 Fruit Street
Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care, Suite 9-A
Boston, MA 02114
617- 724-1971