Cancer Risk Program Available at UCSF

• Identifies individuals and families at increased risk for cancer based on family history
• Helps individuals understand their cancer risk
• Develops personalized screening and prevention options
• Makes referrals for additional evaluations (if required)

The Cancer Risk Program is for individuals with a family history of breast, ovarian, colon, prostate or other cancers. A multi-disciplinary team of experts is available to help families who are concerned about hereditary cancer risk. Genetic counselors establish the family pedigree (family tree), verify diagnoses, and provide educational sessions. They also offer testing for gene mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 and other genes, known to increase risks to develop cancer. Based on the family tree and on the test results, the genetic counselors, physicians and consultants provide an individualized risk management program for each client that includes recommendations for preventive measures and follow-up. All educational services through the Cancer Risk Program are free of charge.

Cancer Risk Assessment includes:

• Genetic aspects of inherited cancer
• Lifetime risks of developing breast, ovarian and other heritable cancers
• Available methods for prevention and detection of heritable cancers
• Education about genetic susceptibility
• Genetic counseling and testing for some individuals
• Personalized risk reduction strategies

The following guidelines help to identify individuals whose cancer risk is greater than the general population. Such individuals may benefit from genetic counseling and/or testing for mutations in specific genes.

Family histories that suggest breast or ovarian hereditary cancer risk:

• Breast cancer under age 30
• Breast cancer under age 50 and a maternal or paternal close relative with ovarian cancer at any age
• Breast cancer and two or more relatives (either maternal or paternal) with breast cancer or one with ovarian cancer
• Male breast cancer at any age
• Ashkenazi Jewish decent with breast cancer under age 50 or ovarian cancer at any age

The Cancer Risk Assessment Team includes the following professionals:

• Genetic Counselors
• Medical Geneticists
• Surgeons
• Gastroenterologists
• Medical Oncologist
• Oncology Nurse Specialists
• Gynecologic Oncologists

Risk Reduction:
The assessment and genetic test results may indicate the presence of a heritable gene mutation that is known to increase the risk of cancer. The Cancer Risk Program will develop an individualized risk reduction plan and provide information and recommendations for other at-risk family members.