The Hereditary Cancer Clinic at the Duke Cancer Institute offers cancer risk assessment and education to cancer patients and people with a family history of cancer or other cancer risk factors.

Since the Hereditary Cancer Clinic opened in 1999, more than 3,500 patient evaluations have been performed. Confidentiality and caring are part of everything we do.

Our board-certified genetic counselors team with medical oncologists to provide thorough risk assessments to each patient. This assessment includes personalized information about:

• Risk of inherited cancers
• Ways to reduce the chance of developing cancer
• Ways to increase the chance of early cancer detection
• Support resources for people adjusting to having cancer or who have cancer running in their family

Genetic testing for cancer predisposition can be facilitated through the Hereditary Cancer Clinic when appropriate.

Clinic staff work closely with other researchers from the Duke Cancer Institute and cancer centers nationwide to better understand inherited cancers and to develop new tools for estimating cancer risk.

Patients may be eligible to participate in clinical trials that are an important component in furthering our knowledge of inherited risk and effective cancer prevention methods.

Partnership with the Duke Oncology Network

The Hereditary Cancer Clinic has extended services to several hospitals in rural North Carolina that are affiliated with the Duke Oncology Network.

Teleconferences with genetic counselors allow us to reach patients in areas where genetic counseling services were previously unavailable.

Appointments

Learn how to make an appointment at the Duke Cancer Institute.