Hereditary Cancer & Genetics: Clinical Genetics at Memorial Sloan-Kettering

The Clinical Genetics Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center offers hereditary cancer risk assessment, genetic counseling, and genetic testing by specially trained genetic counselors and physicians to people who are concerned about their personal and/or family history of cancer. This information may be helpful in making medical decisions about how to manage your risk for cancer.

Would the Clinical Genetics Service be of help to me?

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, genetic counseling may be useful for you.

• Have you or a close relative been diagnosed with cancer at an early age?
• Do you have more than one blood relative with the same type of cancer? If yes, is the same type of cancer found in more than one generation?
• Has anyone in your family had more than one type of cancer?
• Has anyone in your family been diagnosed with bilateral (both sides) cancer of paired organs (such as the breasts, ovaries, or kidneys)?
• Are you related to someone who is known to have an inherited mutation that can cause cancer?

Videos

The New Genomics of Cancer Susceptibility: Pinpointing Your Risk for Cancer

Kenneth Offit, Chief of Memorial Sloan-Kettering's Clinical Genetics Service, discusses which tests should be used — or avoided — to guide your efforts to act on your familial risk for cancer of the colon or breast.

More »

The Clinical Genetics Service will approach your concerns with sensitivity and support. We understand that many factors must be considered when discussing cancer risk, including your personality, your coping style, and your family's experience with cancer. Our genetic counselors and staff will tailor each consultation to fit your specific needs.

Questions that the Clinical Genetics staff will help to answer:

• Will the information I receive during a genetic counseling session help in the prevention or early detection of hereditary cancer?
• If I am at an increased risk for cancer, what will be the risk to my family?
• If I choose to undergo genetic testing, how will the confidentiality of my results be protected?
• Is there a chance of employment or insurance discrimination because of genetic testing for cancer risk?
• Am I eligible to receive genetic testing as part of a clinical research study?
• What are the options for medical insurance coverage or reimbursement for genetic counseling and genetic testing?

Genetic Counseling

An initial 60-to-90-minute genetic counseling session will focus on questions and concerns about your or your family's risk for cancer. Genetic counselors will present complex scientific concepts in terms you can understand. The goal of cancer genetic counseling is to provide clear and clinically relevant information about genetic risk factors in an atmosphere of support and education.

As part of a genetic counseling session you will have the opportunity to discuss:

• Your individual cancer risk assessment
• The latest advances in cancer genetics
• Personalized cancer screening recommendations and referrals
• The risks, benefits, and limitations of genetic testing
• Options for participating in research taking place at Memorial Sloan-Kettering
• Referrals to clinicians who can provide psychological counseling for individuals and families who need assistance in coping with the challenges that may arise from genetic counseling and testing.

Genetic counseling is typically recommended for individuals or families with multiple cases of cancer diagnosed at unusually young ages. If you are interested in learning about your hereditary risk for cancer, you are welcome to schedule an appointment. Genetic counseling does not require genetic testing.

Genetic Testing

Genetic testing involves the use of laboratory methods to obtain a more precise estimate of your cancer risk. Although a cancer risk assessment can be provided without genetic testing, in some cases testing may help you and your physician make important decisions about your medical care. Deciding whether or not to have genetic testing is a personal choice that can be made at the time of the counseling session or at a future date.