The exchange of knowledge and opinions among team members ensures that the best possible set of recommendations is developed for each patient. When the program was established in 1995, our focus was on identifying and counseling patients and their families who were at high risk for developing breast cancer. Due to the special expertise of each member of the team, this is an area that we are particularly well suited to pursue from both a research and clinical perspective. While the major focus of the cancer genetics clinic is on breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer, we are fully qualified to counsel patients about any type of cancer for which there may be an increased genetic risk. Such cancers include but are not limited to skin cancer, thyroid cancer, hematological malignancies and cancer syndromes such as multiple endocrine neoplasia and Von Hippel Lindau syndrome.
Faculty members have interest and expertise in all areas of genetics, oncology, and DNA testing.
When appropriate, genetic testing to further define risk is offered. Areas of special interest include breast and ovarian cancers, endocrine cancers, gastrointestinal tract cancers, melanomas and soft tissue and bone sarcomas. The Cancer Genetics Program is part of the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Genetics Network. This network of institutions throughout the country cooperates in identifying individuals at elevated risk of developing cancer. These individuals have the opportunity to participate in a variety of national studies to examine the causes of and best treatment for cancer.