Hereditary cancer
Knowledge is your most powerful defense.
Cancer does not always appear out of nowhere. In many families, inherited gene changes significantly raise the risk, and identifying those changes early can be lifesaving. We help you understand your personal risk, navigate genetic testing, and build a proactive strategy for your future.
We evaluate hereditary risk for all cancer types, not only the most common ones. Finding an inherited risk can change your care in concrete ways: when screening starts, how often it happens, which prevention options you have, and whether your relatives should be tested too.
Telehealth appointments are available by video or phone. No referral required.
You might be a fit if:
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Several relatives on the same side of your family have had cancer
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You or a relative was diagnosed with cancer before age 50
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You or a relative has had more than one cancer, or a rare cancer
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A relative has tested positive for a gene change linked to cancer risk
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You received a cancer-related result from 23andMe, AncestryDNA, Sequencing.com, or a similar test
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You have had cancer and want to know whether it was hereditary
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You have any concern about cancer in your family, whatever the type
What working with us looks like
We start with a thorough review of your personal and family health history to identify patterns that may point to an inherited cancer risk. From there, we guide you through the genetic testing process, explaining what each test can and cannot tell you, and ensuring you understand your results clearly and completely.
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If a hereditary risk is identified, we work with you to create a personalized prevention and surveillance plan: the right screenings, the right timing, and the right conversations to have with your family and medical team.
You cannot change your genes. But you can change what you do with your genetic information.
What a result can and cannot tell you
A positive result does not mean you will develop cancer. It means your risk is higher than average, and there are often specific steps to manage that risk.
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A negative result is reassuring, but it does not always rule out inherited risk, especially when cancer runs strongly in a family. We explain which situation applies to you and what, if anything, it changes.
Common questions
My relatives with cancer were never tested. Can I still be evaluated?
Yes. Your family history itself tells us a great deal, and testing can start with you. We also help you decide who in the family is the most informative person to test first.
I had genetic testing years ago and it was negative. Should I get tested again?
Possibly. Testing has expanded considerably, and older tests often looked at only a few genes. We review what you had done and tell you whether updated testing would add anything.
What happens if a hereditary risk is found?
We help you build a plan with your medical team, which can include earlier or more frequent screening and other risk-reducing options. We also help your relatives understand their own testing options.