Cancer Risk Assessment & Genetic Counseling Program

A cancer risk assessment is recommended if you have the following personal and/or family history of cancer:

• a personal diagnosis of cancer younger than age 50, or
• multiple close family members diagnosed with cancer younger than age 50, or
• more than one cancer diagnosed in the same person, or
• three or more close family members with different types of cancer

In addition to these inherited risk factors, certain environmental and lifestyle factors may increase your risk of cancer.

If you are concerned that you might be at increased cancer risk for any reason, call us at 201-608-2608 to learn about risk assessment consultations. We’re available to advise individuals and families about their risk and options to manage that risk. Genetic testing is available if you wish to receive it.

Risk Assessment Consultation

Before your risk assessment consultation, you will complete a detailed questionnaire about your family history and your personal medical history. During your visit, we will review your questionnaire with you. Based on your answers and our team’s expertise, you will receive recommendations for genetic testing, surveillance, and risk-reduction strategies.

Genetic Testing

If genetic testing is appropriate, we will discuss testing options. As the field of cancer genetics continues to evolve, multiple genetic tests are available for cancer risk assessment. Based on the current guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, we offer multigene panel testing, which means that multiple genes are tested at the same time. Testing is available for breast, colorectal, endometrial/uterine, gastric (stomach), ovarian, lung, melanoma, and pancreatic cancers, as well as polyposis syndromes.

Personalized Recommendations

Even if genetic testing isn’t appropriate, we will discuss ways to reduce your risk of cancer and recommendations about routine screening tests. For example, we may recommend you have mammograms more frequently or enroll in a smoking cessation or exercise class. We will assist you in making decisions regarding these recommendations, and you are encouraged to discuss them further with your other healthcare providers.