Cancer Risk Assessment Clinic

The cancer risk assessment clinic at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center helps men and women identify their risks of developing cancer and provides comprehensive risk analysis, genetic counseling, individualized education, management options and recommendations for future screening.

The goals of the Cancer Risk Assessment Clinic are to provide information, education, recommendations, support and a long-term follow-up plan. Since some people may overestimate the risk of developing cancer, a complete assessment and follow-up plan can be reassuring.

Our program includes the following services:

Risk analysis
Clinical examination upon request
Lifestyle modification instruction
Genetics counseling and testing for certain cancers
Access to chemoprevention research
Risk-reduction plan
Individual cancer prevention education

Genetic Testing

Genes have been identified that can place family members at an increased risk of developing certain cancers. You may be at an increased risk of developing cancer if:

Several close relatives have had a cancer
Several close relatives developed cancer at an early age
Several close relatives developed more than one type of cancer
Cancer has appeared in more than one generation of your family

Knowing whether you carry an altered gene can be helpful in developing a personal cancer prevention and screening plan. Genetics testing is available for some cancers such as breast, ovarian and colon cancer, but can be very costly and may not be covered by insurance. Also, results of these tests may have economic, social and emotional consequences. The Cancer Risk Assessment Clinic at Ellis Fischel provides information on the advantages and limitations of genetic testing.

Before you make a decision concerning genetic testing, a genetic counselor or nurse practitioner will discuss your situation in depth. You may take your time to decide whether to move forward with genetic testing, delay it or decline it. If you decide to be tested, a simple blood test can be performed.