About the Jefferson Clinical Cancer Genetics Service
If you suspect you may be at an increased risk for developing cancer based on personal and or family history and hereditary factors, turn to the experts of the Jefferson Clinical Cancer Genetics Service.
Here, our staff can provide a genetic risk assessment, genetic counseling and genetic testing. Our goal is to identify, assist and help you and your family if it is determined you are at an increased risk for developing certain cancers, including hereditary cancer syndrome.
Jefferson's Clinical Cancer Genetics staff includes:
- Genetic counselors
- Advanced practice nurses in genetics
- Medical oncologists
- Other clinicians
What We Do
Jefferson's Clinical Cancer Genetics Service takes a multidisciplinary approach to performing cancer risk evaluation and management.
We identify individuals with hereditary cancer
A hereditary cancer syndrome occurs when a genetic change in DNA called a "mutation" is inherited from either parent. Such a mutation can also start as a new change in a person.
- Hereditary cancer syndromes are uncommon but need to be understood since they can alter your medical management.
- Risk for cancer can still be increased even if a hereditary cancer syndrome is not found in you or your family.
We help you understand reasons to consider having a cancer genetics evaluation, including:
- Early age at cancer diagnosis (usually under age 50 but may vary)
- A combination of certain cancers in you or your family, for example: breast and ovarian cancer; colorectal and uterine cancer; sarcoma, brain tumor and breast cancer
- More than one cancer diagnosed in you or a family member, for example: being diagnosed with more than one breast cancer; cancer in both ovaries, breasts, kidneys or other "paired organs"
- If you are from certain ethnic backgrounds with certain types of cancer. For example, any Ashkenazi Jewish woman with breast or ovarian cancer
- Other ethnic groups may also be at an increased risk for certain cancers. For example, individuals with French Canadian, Icelandic, Swedish and Hungarian heritage
We perform a comprehensive cancer genetic evaluation tailored to your specific situation, including:
- Obtaining family and personal medical history with construction of a family tree or "pedigree"
- Discussion of your inherited and non-inherited risk factors for cancer, including personal and family history, environmental exposures, lifestyle choices and diet
- Risk assessment: Estimating your risk for developing certain types of cancer and carrying a mutation in a certain gene or genes
- Genetic counseling: Providing information related to risks, benefits and limitations of genetic testing
- Genetic counseling is NOT genetic testing
- Genetic counseling is education intended to help you make an informed decision about whether or not to proceed with genetic testing, if such testing is determined to be an appropriate option.
- Development and review of a personalized recommendation for cancer screening, risk-reduction options and early detection strategies, all of which are provided in a written summary
- Recommendations, ordering and explaining results of genetic testing if and when genetic testing is performed
- Referrals to clinician-specialists and appropriate resources for follow-up care, medical management and support
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact the following Clinical Genetics Staff:- Advance Practice Nurse in Genetics – specializing in breast-ovarian cancer syndromes and breast/ovarian cancer risk assessment
Phone: 215.955.9098 Fax: 215.955.9526 - Genetic Counselor - for all other cancer genetic inquiries
Phone: 215.955.1011 Fax: 215.955.1020