Lahey Cancer Institute
Clinical experts of Lahey Cancer Institute offer research, training and education in addition to personalized patient care using advanced treatments at locations convenient to you.
Breast Cancer Genetic Counseling & Risk Assessment
Specialized genetic screenings for cancer
Tests to Understand Your Risk of Breast and Ovarian Cancers
Lahey Clinic's Familial Cancer Risk Assessment Clinic offers specialized testing for those who are at increased risk for developing breast and ovarian cancer based on their family history. Patients can receive a comprehensive evaluation by a genetic counselor and by the risk assessment team. If you have already been diagnosed with breast cancer, genetic testing may help guide your doctors with your treatment.
Several aspects of your family history raise the suspicion of a hereditary breast or ovarian cancer syndrome:
- Family history of two or more close family members with breast or ovarian cancer
- Personal history of breast and ovarian cancer
- Personal history of two or more breast cancers
- Personal history of breast cancer at any age and at least one close family member with breast or ovarian cancer
- Personal or family history of early-onset breast cancer (under age 45 at the time of diagnosis)
- Personal or family history of ovarian cancer at any age
We know that genetic mutations in breast cancer go beyond patients with BRCA genes. Our certified genetic counselors understand all types of cancer, not just breast cancer. If you are at higher risk because of your family history, we can guide you on how to best manage your risk.
Why Have Genetic Cancer Testing?
Unfortunately, breast cancer is common. Knowing your personal risk can help.
No one knows the exact cause of breast cancer, although there are certain factors that may increase your risk. At Lahey’s Breast Health Center, we want to educate you on your personal chances of developing cancer. Your risk is based on known risk factors such as:
- Age.
- Family history of breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer.
- Genetic alterations.
- Results of prior breast biopsies.
- Radiation therapy to the chest.
- Reproductive and menstrual history.
Educating our patients also means breaking some of the myths surrounding what causes cancer. Talk to your primary care provider about your personal risk. And count on Lahey cancer care teams for research-based facts about the causes of cancer.
More About Genetic Testing for Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Assessing Your Personal Risk
Lahey patients are offered the Volpara Health breast cancer risk assessment at the time of their screening mammogram — a tool to establish a patient's lifetime risk for developing breast cancer.
In addition to assessing your individual risk, genetic counseling provides details on:
- Benefits and limitations of genetic testing
- Genetic mutations (changes in DNA instructions that tell cells how to grow and divide)
- Patterns of transmission (how cancer has spread within your body)
- Potential risks to other members of your family
Risk Assessment Screening Tool
The risk for breast and ovarian cancer is not the same for everyone. Some people need advanced screening beyond the standard assessments.
Since it’s not always clear who may be at higher risk, Lahey offers a computerized Risk Assessment Screening Tool. This tool helps physicians more accurately learn your risk for breast and ovarian cancer. The earlier cancer is found, the greater the chance of successful treatment. This advanced screening tool can help you and your doctors learn the best level of screening for you.
With our Risk Assessment Screening Tool, you use an electronic tablet at the time of your mammography at a Lahey imaging center to confidentially answer questions about your health and family history. Your doctor will see a summary that calculates your five-year and lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
This tool uses nationally recognized risk models. You and your doctor can then discuss if you might benefit from a higher level of screening beyond regular checkups and mammograms.
What to Expect at Genetic Counseling Sessions
Your first cancer genetic counseling session may take about an hour. During this session, a genetic counselor will ask detailed questions about your personal medical history and the medical history of your family members.
Your family tree is called a pedigree. It’s a useful tool to learn the chance that the cancer in your family is caused by a hereditary cancer predisposition gene. We’ll also discuss cancer genetics and the purpose of genetic testing, including the pros and cons.
Also, we may discuss any concerns you have about genetic discrimination. We can inform you of legal protections, risks to other family members and screenings recommended for you.
If you decide to have genetic screening, a genetic counselor will help with the test. You may need follow-up visits to discuss the genetic test results. These visits typically last up to 30 minutes.
