Why Choose Us for Family History & Genetic Risk Assessment
Huntsman Cancer Institute is the only National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Mountain West, offering unmatched expertise in hereditary cancer risk assessment and prevention.
- Expert team: Board-certified genetic counselors and physicians specializing in hereditary cancer syndromes
- Accessible care: Virtual counseling and expanded reach for all communities, including rural and frontier
- Personalized services: High-risk clinics for breast, ovarian, gastrointestinal, pancreatic, prostate, kidney, and rare cancers
- Research integration: Opportunities to join registries and early-detection studies
- Unique advantage: Powered by the Utah Population Database, the largest resource of its kind in the country, enabling groundbreaking research on inherited cancer risk
What Is Cancer Genetic Counseling?
If you have a family history of cancer, you may have a higher risk of developing cancer. Some cancers are linked to inherited genetic mutations that can pass through families.
Only 5–10% of all cancers are linked to genetic mutations, but knowing your risk can help you take steps to prevent or detect cancer early.
Who Should Consider Genetic Counseling
You may benefit if you have one or more of the following:
- Multiple relatives with the same type of cancer
- Cancer diagnosed before age 50 in family members
- Family members with more than one type of cancer
- Rare cancers such as ovarian, pancreatic, or male breast cancer
How to Get Started
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Contact the Family Cancer Assessment Clinic
Call 801-587-9555 to start the process.
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Undergo Risk Assessment and Genetic Counseling
Our team will review your personal and family history, discuss genetic testing, and help you understand your risk.
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Receive Personalized Recommendations
Depending on your results, we may recommend enhanced screening, referral to a high-risk clinic, participation in a registry, or entry into a research study.
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Ongoing Support and Access to Research
Eligible individuals may join registries (e.g., Breast Cancer Family Registry), early detection studies, or follow-up research that draws on Utah’s population-level data—helping further scientific understanding and improving care.
Family History of Cancer FAQs
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It helps you understand your cancer risk based on family history and genetics.
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People with multiple relatives affected by cancer, early diagnoses, or rare cancers.
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Most patients pay $0–250 with insurance; assistance programs are available.
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Yes! Our TeleGenetics program offers video or phone appointments.
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You’ll meet with a genetic counselor to review results and create a personalized plan.
High Risk Services
Research teams at Huntsman Cancer Institute want to learn how inherited factors, genetics, behaviors, and the environment may lead to different types of cancer. Teams include physicians, genetic counselors, research coordinators, and support personnel.
We offer studies and specialty services for people at high risk of cancer due to genetic factors, health behaviors, and the environment. People who are eligible can learn ways to detect, prevent, or manage cancer through our education, screening, and risk modeling services.
Breast Cancer Risk Clinic
We see women who may have a higher chance of breast or ovarian cancer due to genetic mutations or family history. Our services include options to screen for and help detect breast cancer early.
High Risk GI Clinic
People who have a higher chance of gastrointestinal cancers due to genetic mutations or a family history may need tailored cancer screening and management plans. This clinic is for individuals and their families concerned about their risk for colon, stomach, pancreas, or other GI cancers.
Pancreatic Cancer Clinic
We offer people with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer information about screening tools and guidelines. We also provide access to research studies that may help detect cancer of the pancreas early.
Paraganglioma Clinic
Paragangliomas are rare tumors in the peripheral nervous system or adrenal glands. This clinic is for children and adults at risk for paragangliomas and other tumors due to inherited mutations in the SDHx genes.
Pediatric and Rare Tumor Clinic
This clinic focuses on hereditary syndromes that cause an increased risk for cancer and tumors in children and adults. We help families understand genetic test results and develop cancer screening plans.
Prostate Cancer Risk Clinic
This clinic is for men who may be at risk for prostate cancer due to family history or genetic mutations, including BRCA. We help patients create personal screening plans and schedule any follow-up.
Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) and High Risk Renal Clinic
This clinic is for people with genetic conditions that increase risk for kidney cancer such as VHL, Birt-Hogg-Dube, and hereditary leiomyomatosis. We create personal screening plans and help schedule follow-up care.
Studies and Research
Breast Cancer Family Registry
One of six National Cancer Institute-funded breast cancer registries. For more information, Jo Anson at jo.anson@hci.utah.edu or 801-587-3831.
Cancer Genetics Study
A resource for patients, families, health professionals, and researchers, we help find and recruit people who may be at higher risk for cancer because of inherited genetic factors. For more information, contact Soren Feola at soren.feola@hci.utah.edu or 801-585-7343.
Hereditary Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry
For patients and families with a strong history of cancers in the stomach, small bowel, pancreas, colon, or rectum.
Inherited Cancer Research Shared Resource
The goal of the Inherited Cancer Research Shared Resource is to facilitate clinical, behavioral, and basic science research involving cancer genetics and inherited susceptibility.
Research on Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer
We are recruiting patients at high risk of pancreatic cancer to take part in these research studies: PanFAM and Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection (PRECEDE) Consortium. These studies focus on trying to find pancreas cancer early. For more information, contact Gregg Wood at Gregg.Wood@hci.utah.edu or 801-646-4215.
Our Experts
Contact Us
Phone: 801-587-9555
Fax: 801-587-1149
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 am to 5 pm Mountain Time