Also known as: Genetic counseling, cancer-related
Working as part of a team of doctors and other health professionals, genetic counselors provide education and support to families with members who have birth defects or genetic disorders such as sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis or hemophilia.
Providence Cancer Risk Assessment and Prevention Program provides genetic counseling and genetic testing. People who are most likely to benefit from genetic testing usually have risk factors for hereditary cancer.
From the experts
Q. I've just been diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS.) I've heard it described as "stage 0" breast cancer. What does that mean? How worried should I be?
Answer from the expert staff of breast cancer research at the Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center at Providence Portland Medical Center: