Boston Medical Center – Brighton
Cancer Genetics and Prevention
Hereditary or genetic factors may increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer. The Cancer Genetics and Prevention Program at Boston Medical Center – Brighton brings expertise in genetics counseling and testing for patients with cancer and those with a strong family history of cancer. Our physicians and genetics counselors work as a team with specialists in breast surgery, GYN and GYN oncology, gastroenterology, medical oncology, plastic surgery and dermatology to ensure that patients receive a comprehensive approach and understanding of their genetic screening and prevention plan. Patients seen for cancer genetics counseling will also have the opportunity to participate in clinical trials to help to further our understanding of cancer genetics. Additionally, our partnership with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute brings the best cancer care to our patients in one convenient location.
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.