CANCER GENETIC COUNSELING SERVICES

Most cancers are not hereditary. But some families have an increased chance of certain cancers, and this risk can be passed from one generation to the next.

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Cancer Genetics Clinic

At UC Irvine Medical Center, the Cancer Genetics Clinic at the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center helps answer questions about the risk of genetic cancers. A genetic evaluation can help clarify if the patient or patient’s family members have a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer.  It can also suggest actions that can be taken to prevent cancer. Services are provided by a team of board-certified medical geneticists and genetic counselors.

As a university-based medical center, we are one of only two hospitals in Orange County to offer cancer genetics counseling.

Genetic Evaluation

The evaluation is a communication process that helps assess a person’s cancer risk based on their family history.  This process uses computer-based risk assessment modeling and analysis by experts.

During an evaluation, our team will:

• Review the patient’s personal medical history
• Review the patient’s family medical history
• Determine whether a hereditary syndrome may be causing cancer in the family
• Administer a physical examination and/or genetic test (in some cases)

Questions to Consider

Some of the questions that might help evaluate cancer risk include:

• What kinds of cancers have occurred in the family?
• How many people in the family have been affected by cancer?
• How old were family members when the cancer occurred?
• How many family members have never had cancer?

Benefits of Risk Assessment

Determining the hereditary risk of cancer can have benefits for patients and families. Sometimes an evaluation will show that individuals or their relatives have no greater risk than the general population.  But if a hereditary risk exists, there may be proactive steps patients and families can take to help themselves.

Genetic Counseling

Following a risk assessment, genetic counseling helps answer questions and provides perspectives on a patient’s options.  Counseling is a chance to discuss what it means to have an increased cancer risk, resources for learning more about it, and options to reduce health risks.

For example, more frequent health screenings may be advised, such as mammograms. Certain medications might be available, or, in some cases, preventative surgery may be recommended.

Central Location

Patients at the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center also benefit by having cancer testing, counseling and treatment services all under one roof.  This makes appointments and referrals easier.  It also draws on a multidisciplinary group of experts that work as a team to help patients and families.

Insurance

Evaluation in the Cancer Genetics Clinic is considered a specialty consultation, and is usually covered by insurance.