Boston Medical Center – Brighton
Cancer Genetics and Prevention
Understanding and Reducing Cancer Risk Through Genetics
Our Cancer Genetics and Prevention Program offers counseling and testing for patients with cancer or a strong family history. Our physicians and genetics counselors work as a team with specialists in breast surgery, gynecology and gynecological oncology, gastroenterology, medical oncology, plastic surgery and dermatology to create personalized screening and prevention plans. Patients may be eligible to participate in clinical trials and will have access to research opportunities through the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Our Team
Beth Herrick, MD
Radiology, Radiation Oncology
Why Get Genetics Screening?
Family history can play a role in many types of cancers, such as breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancers. Our team will educate patients about why they may be at higher risk of developing cancer or having an inherited mutation and what implications that may have for them or other family members. Once we’ve identified a patient as having a mutation or being at increased risk for cancer, our team can make recommendations to reduce that risk, find cancers at their earliest stage, or prevent cancer altogether. Additionally we are able to counsel cancer patients in terms of what family members may be at increased risk of cancer or having a mutation. We can offer counseling and testing to the appropriate family members to decrease risk of developing cancer.