Genetics Clinical Resource Area - Tools and Resources

Department of Clinical Cancer Genetics
The Department of Clinical Cancer Genetics is a multidisciplinary clinical, research and education program which focuses on recognition and assessment of people at increased risk for developing cancer because of family history or personal risk factors.

Genetic Testing for Hereditary Cancer Syndromes
A resource guide that provides information on patient education, medical management, the testing process, test interpretation, and other topics relevant to providing patient services.

Examples of Personal and Family History Forms
Patients should be encouraged to carefully document their own health history, including all diseases and conditions. The U.S. Surgeon General declared Thanksgiving Day 2004 as the first “annual” National Family History Day to raise awareness of heredity and disease and encourage people to be aware of their family’s health history. “My Family Health Portrait,” which is available both as downloadable software and a paper version, can help family members gather the appropriate information to share with their healthcare professionals.

Talking to Your Patients About Cancer Genetic Risk Assessment
Because of the very understandable fear of developing cancer, patients are likely to have conflicting feelings about whether they wish to know if they face an increased risk based on genetic testing. In addition, many cancers are linked to behavioral and lifestyle factors; patients without genetic risks should not assume they are not still at risk for developing certain kinds of cancers. Healthcare professionals must be sensitive to these and other critical issues surrounding genetic testing and counseling when talking to patients about these issues. The National Cancer Institute offers a number of resources for healthcare professionals to understand this complicated field and talk to their patients about genetics.