Overview

Genetic Counseling Services at UPMC Cancer Centers is coordinated through the Cancer Genetics Program (a joint program of UPMC, the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and Magee-Womens Hospital) and 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.

Genetic Counseling Services strives to provide expert clinical consultation in cancer genetics, develop a cohort of patients and families with hereditary cancer for a variety of research studies and 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
• presents medical geneticists and genetic counselors that are specially trained in cancer genetics and certified by the American Board of Medical Genetics
• 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)
• Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 (MEN1)
• Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2 (RET)
• Hereditary Paraganglioma (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:

• About Cancer Genetics
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Physicians' Guide
• Contact Us

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For more information about any of the services available at UPMC Cancer Centers, please call the UPMC Cancer Centers Information and Referral Service at 412-647-2811 or send us an e-mail via "Ask a Question Online."