Specialized Services

A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W Y All Services

The Cancer Risk Program is a comprehensive genetic counseling service for families with a history of cancer and is the largest and most comprehensive genetic testing center for cancer in Northern California. Genetic counselors assess personal and family history, provide education and counseling and, when appropriate, offer genetic testing for cancer predisposition genes.

Based on family history, other cancer risk factors and genetic testing results, counselors and doctors provide an individualized risk management program for each patient that includes recommendations for cancer screening and options for preventive measures.

Services

• In-depth cancer risk assessment based on personal and family history
• Education about genetics of cancer for patients and their families
• Genetic testing, when appropriate and desired
• Development of a personalized cancer screening and prevention plan, including discussion of lifestyle changes, in collaboration with the patients referring physician
• Psychological support
• Information about and access to clinical trials for cancer detection and prevention
• Education classes that provide easy-to-understand information about inherited cancer predisposition, risks of developing breast, ovarian, colorectal and other cancers, as well as available prevention and early detection procedures

Our Experts

The UCSF Cancer Risk Program has a team of experts including genetic counselors, physicians, and researchers. In collaboration with a patient's referring physician, they work together to develop the best and most effective prevention and screening plan for each patient.

Director
Dr. Robert Nussbaum

Director of Clinical Services
Beth Crawford

Director of Research
Dr. Jane McLennan

Director of Colon Cancer Registry
Dr. Jonathan Terdiman

Genetic Counselors
Amie Blanco
Peggy Conrad
Kate Lamvik
Robin Lee
Julie Mak
Nicola Stewart

Clinical Team
Dr. Laura Esserman
Dr. Mary Beattie
Dr. Lee-may Chen
Dr. Cheryl Ewing
Dr. Shelly Hwang
Dr. Mohammed Kashani-Sabet
Dr. Judy Luce
Dr. Michelle Melisko
Dr. Hope Rugo
Dr. Jeffrey Tice

Preparing for Your Appointment

If you have an appointment for genetic counseling, please complete and return the following forms prior to your appointment:

Family and medical history questionnaire — Personal and family medical history provides important information for cancer risk assessment. Please complete the 16-page questionnaire before your first appointment with UCSF Cancer Risk Program. (NOTE: The questionnaire should be printed in a horizontal or "landscape" format.)

Medical record release forms — Reviewing the medical records of individuals diagnosed with cancer is an important part of cancer risk assessment. Please have medical record release forms completed and signed by you and other members of your family diagnosed with cancer or their next-of-kin.

Insurance verification form — If this is your first time being seen at UCSF Medical Center, please complete an insurance verification form and provide a copy of both sides of your insurance card.

For More Information

Cancer Risk Program
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
1600 Divisadero St.
Second Floor
San Francisco, CA 94143-1714

Heredity and Colon Cancer — Have members of your family been diagnosed with colon cancer? If so, you may be at risk. Hear genetic counselor Amie Blanco discuss screening and preventive measures.

Watch our videos — UCTV Video, Real Player
All in the Family — Inherited Cancer Risk