Genetic Counseling Services

Overview

Genetic counseling services at UPMC Cancer Centers are coordinated through the Cancer Genetics Program (CGP) — a joint program of UPMC, the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and Magee-Womens Hospital. The CGP provides education, research and cancer risk assessment for individuals and their families who are concerned about their risk for cancer and how genetic inheritance may play a role.

The CGP strives to provide expert clinical consultation in cancer genetics, to develop a cohort of patients and families with hereditary cancer for a variety of research studies, and to provide training and continuing medical education to medical professionals.

This comprehensive program:

offers genetic counseling for determining cancer risk
provides opportunities to learn about cancer screening and genetic testing
includes genetic counselors that are specially trained in cancer genetics and certified by the American Board of Medical Genetics or American Board of Genetic Counseling
helps people and their families understand how certain cancers may cluster in families
educates people on the most current and available genetic testing
informs people about which cancer screening tests may offer early detection
offers individualized prevention steps that make sense for each person

Patients undergo genetic consultation and, in specific cases, pursue targeted genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromes such as:

Hereditary Breast-Ovarian Cancer (BRCA1, BRCA2)
Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (TP53)
Cowden Syndrome (PTEN)
Von Hippel-Lindau Disease (VHL)
Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (APC)
Hereditary Non-polyposis Colorectal Cancer (MSH2, MLH1, MSH6, PMS2)
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 (MEN1)
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2 (RET)
Hereditary Paraganglioma (SDHB, SDHD)
Familial Melanoma (CDKN2A)
Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome (PTCH)

Cancer risk consultation can relieve anxiety and provide a sense of control. After a complete review of your family and medical history, the consultation team will discuss the following information:

an estimation of your risks for specific cancers based upon your age, family history and other risk factors
a complete analysis of your family tree
the possible role of genetics in your family’s cancer; emotional issues surrounding cancer and risk
the availability of genetic testing for certain cancers and the risks, benefits and limitations of genetic testing
cancer screening tests and recommendations for how often you should be screened

More information:

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For more information about any of the services available at UPMC Cancer Centers, please send us an e-mail via "Ask a Question Online."