Genetic Counseling and Risk Assessment

At the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, we are the only cancer center in Oregon with board certified medical geneticists who are specialty- trained to determine the risk for inherited cancer syndromes. These specialized doctors are are available to talk with you. 

About 5 percent to 10 percent of cancer is hereditary. This means most cancer is not inherited. However, if your family member is:

• diagnosed with a rare type of cancer, such as ovarian cancer or male breast cancer
• diagnosed with cancer at less than 50 years of age 
• diagnosed with multiple primary cancers 

inherited cancer syndrome may be a factor.

What to expect

At your genetics consultation, we will:

• review your history of cancer, and/or your family history
• talk with you about the genetics of cancer and genetic testing options 
• do a personalized risk assessment including options to reduce your risk and screen for cancer.  

Recommendations are based upon your personal and family history, whether or not there is an inherited cancer syndrome in your family.

Some common inherited cancer syndromes are:

• Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) – Families with HBOC have an increased risk for breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancer. The genes associated with HBOC are BRCA1 and BRCA2.
• Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) - Families with HNPCC have an increased risk for colorectal, uterine, stomach and ovarian cancers. The genes associated with HNPCC are MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2.
• Cowden syndrome - Families with Cowden syndrome have an increased risk for breast, uterine and thyroid cancers. The gene associated with Cowden syndrome is PTEN.
• Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and attenuated FAP – Families with FAP or AFAP have an increased risk for colorectal, small bowel, pancreatic and thyroid cancers. The gene associated with FAP and AFAP is APC.
• Li-Fraumeni syndrome - Families with Li-Fraumemi syndrome have an increased risk for soft-tissue sarcoma, breast cancer, leukemia, osteosarcoma, melanoma, and colon, pancreatic, adrenal cortex and brain cancers.  The gene associated with Li-Fraumeni syndrome is p53.

Our Team:

At OHSU Knight Cancer Institute our medical geneticists and genetic counselors work together to determine your risk for inherited cancer syndromes.