UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center

Your First Visit

Feighanne Hathaway, genetic counselor, meets with patient in DCAM
Our genetic counselors meet with patients to provide individualized cancer risk assessments.

One week before your appointment, one of our genetic counselors will contact you by phone to discuss your personal and family medical history. It is helpful if you gather your medical information in advance of this call as well as any medical history for your immediate family members. If a family member has had cancer, please collect the following information:

  • Type of cancer
  • Age of diagnosis
  • Current age or cause of death, if deceased
  • Whether a family member developed a second cancer

While correct and complete information is important to assessing cancer risk, we understand it may not be possible to obtain all of the details about your family’s history of cancer.

During your first appointment, a team of UChicago Medicine experts — genetic counselors as well as physicians and nurses with expertise in genetics — will perform a comprehensive evaluation and assessment to determine whether you are at increased risk of cancer, and if so, for which types of cancer. The team may evaluate your family as well. If you have a family history of cancer, your detailed family profile will provide the basis for further recommendations. Team members will identify any possible pattern of inheritance.

Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk

Genetic testing is not required for cancer risk counseling and assessment. However, in some cases results from a genetic test may help you and your physician make important decisions about your care. Undergoing genetic testing is the personal choice of each patient.

Genetic testing involves a simple blood test. The blood sample is then sent to a lab that determines if there is a mutation, or change, in the genes that raises the risk of cancer for a patient and family members.

Risk Reduction Plan

After the team has determined where risks exist, they will develop a personalized risk reduction plan. Risk reduction strategies may include:

  • Careful, systematic monitoring or periodic screening tests for early detection
  • Changes in diet, exercise or other lifestyle factors
  • Cancer prevention drugs or procedures

Our staff will work with your primary care or referring physician to ensure that your care is seamless. We will help your physician monitor your risk reduction plan. In addition, you may choose to join an ongoing study evaluating the effectiveness of your risk reduction strategies.

Clinical trial evaluates prostate cancer screening technique for high-risk patients

A clinical trial at the UChicago Medicine is evaluating a novel cancer screening protocol for men with a high risk of developing prostate cancer. Mark Vazzana, 47, participated in the new screening regimen in June 2020. Testing found that he is susceptible to cancer. He now has yearly screening tests and a prostate MRI every three years.

Mark Vazzana participated in the new prostate cancer screening regimen at UChicago Medicine in June 2020.

Request an Appointment

We are currently experiencing a high volume of inquiries, leading to delayed response times. For faster assistance, please call 1-855-702-8222 to schedule your appointment.

If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

For Referring Physicians

To refer a patient to the Cancer Risk & Prevention Clinic, please call UCM Physician Connect at 1-855-702-8222

 

By submitting this form you acknowledge the risk of sending this information by email and agree not to hold the University of Chicago or University of Chicago Medical Center liable for any damages you may incur as a result of the transfer or use of this information. The use or transmittal of this form does not create a physician-contact relationship. More information regarding the confidentiality of this request can be found in our Privacy Policy.

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By submitting this form you acknowledge the risk of sending this information by email and agree not to hold the University of Chicago or University of Chicago Medical Center liable for any damages you may incur as a result of the transfer or use of this information. The use or transmittal of this form does not create a physician-contact relationship. More information regarding the confidentiality of this request can be found in our Privacy Policy.
Wendy Stock, MD, talks with a patient in clinic

Cancer Care Second Opinions

Request a second opinion from UChicago Medicine experts in cancer care.

researcher in cancer lab

Participate in a Clinical Trial

UChicago Medicine cancer experts are actively conducting clinical trials of new and promising treatments.

Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine view from parking garage

How Can We Help?

Useful Resources for Patients & Visitors