Oncology Genetics Program at The Cancer Institute at Alexian Brothers Hospital Network
About Us
Scientific advances in recent years have given us tremendous insight into the field of genetics. The Oncology Genetics Program at The Cancer Institute at Alexian Brothers Hospital Network provides risk assessment, education, counseling and testing, when appropriate, for patients and families at risk for developing breast, ovarian, colon, uterine and melanoma cancers.
Who should consider counseling?
Genetic counseling that includes cancer risk assessment should be considered if you or a family member has any of the following.
- A strong family history of cancer or a very early age of onset of disease
- A diagnosis of breast, ovarian, uterine, or melanoma skin cancer before the age of 50
- Colon cancer before the age of 40
- A diagnosis of breast cancer before menopause
- Bilateral breast cancer or a history of both breast and ovarian cancer
- Family members with breast and/or ovarian, uterine, colon or melanoma skin cancer
- A blood relative with a known hereditary mutation in breast genes BRCA1 or BRCA2, colon genes MLH1, MSH2, APC, or tumor suppressor gene p16
- Male breast cancer
- Family history of multiple polyps
- Multiple generations with colorectal cancer
You must be 18 years of age and provide informed consent to participate in genetic testing. Testing will not be performed for pre-natal purposes.
