The majority of cancer is thought to be due to a combination of non-hereditary factors such as chance events, the aging process, or environmental exposures. Only about 5 to 10 percent of cancer cases are caused by a hereditary predisposition that is passed on within a family. Cancers that are most commonly associated with a hereditary predisposition include breast cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer. However, individuals with other types of cancer may also wish to consult with a genetic counselor. There are rare hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes that are associated with other types of cancer, such as thyroid cancer and stomach cancer. A genetic counselor can help evaluate your personal and family history to determine if a risk assessment appointment is necessary.
Please contact us at 781-744-3982.
Our center also provides counseling and genetic testing for the following syndromes:
- Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome (including the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations)
- Cowden syndrome
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
- Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer syndrome (Lynch syndrome)
- Colon polyp syndromes: Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, MYH-Associated Polyposis, Juvenile Polyposis
- Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer syndrome
- Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
- Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome
- Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome
- Hereditary Paraganglioma syndrome
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, Type 1 and Type 2 syndrome
- Hereditary Leiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Cancer syndrome
- Hereditary Papillary Renal Cell Cancer syndrome
- Familial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma syndrome