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Karen E. Hurley, PhD
I am a licensed clinical psychologist whose expertise focuses on helping patients with inherited predisposition to cancer, including BRCA1/2, HNPCC/Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), hereditary diffuse gastric cancer, and Li-Fraumeni syndrome. I provide consultations and psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families with various concerns, including: deciding whether to have genetic testing or risk-reducing prophylactic surgery; coping with anxiety and depression about facing a higher-than-average risk of cancer; communicating with family members; and dealing with illness and loss of family members. I am dually a member of the Clinical Genetics Service, and have completed advanced continuing education in clinical genetics and epidemiology through the support of a K07 award from the National Cancer Institute.
I am also affiliated with the health behavior change and cancer risk reduction laboratory in the Behavioral Science Service. The lab examines psychological and behavioral factors in cancer prevention and early detection. My main research interest is in how patients make decisions about cancer risk options -- such as genetic testing, prophylactic surgery, breast reconstruction, and reproductive technologies such as genetic testing of embryos to avoid passing on cancer risk mutations (PGD). Other studies that I am involved in include adherence to intensive screening recommendations and uptake of testing for genetic mutations associated with low to moderate cancer risk (as opposed to high risk).
I am a member of the American Psychological Association, Society for Behavioral Medicine and the American Psycho-Oncology Society. Additionally, I serve on the advisory boards of two national support organizations for high-risk individuals: FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered) and Bright Pink.
Phone
646-888-0038
Education
PhD, Temple University
Residencies
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
Fellowships
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Clinical Expertise
Clinical Psychology
Department & Service
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