About the Program

The Pediatric Cancer Risk Program (PCRP) offers patients access to expert pediatric geneticists, genetic counselors and other specialists at Boston Children's Hospital, as well as world-renowned pediatric oncologists from Dana-Farber/Boston Children's.

The first of its kind in New England, our program accepts referrals, second opinions and consultations for evaluation of:

• children who have cancers with known hereditary links
• children whose genetic defects are associated with cancer development
• children with family histories that place them at a higher risk for cancer development

Who we help

Referral to the PCRP is recommended for children who have:

• a history of cancer with known hereditary links
• a strong family history of cancer
• multiple family members with colon cancer
• parents with known cancer predisposition syndromes

Referrals are also recommended for children with the following genetic syndromes or histories:

• ataxia telangiectasia
• Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
• Cowden syndrome
• familial adenomatous polyposis
• Li-Fraumeni syndrome
• multiple endocrine neoplasia
• pheochromocytoma 
• retinoblastoma 
• Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome
• X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome

Our Treatment Approach

Our integrated approach to care offers comprehensive evaluation and follow-up for children at risk for cancer. If needed, we will also recommend referrals to additional specialists.

All cases are reviewed in a multidisciplinary clinic conference.

In addition, adult family members of at-risk children may be referred to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Cancer Genetics and Prevention Program.

A cancer risk assessment can provide additional information about cancer risk and appropriate screening. A certified genetic counselor assesses each case according to individual needs, coordinates all patient visits and determines if the patient should be seen by an oncologist at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's or a geneticist at Boston Children's Hospital.

The Care Team

Our team includes members from Dana-Farber/Boston Children's, the Division of Genetics at Boston Children's Hospital and the Cancer Genetics and Prevention Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Lisa Diller, MD
Chief Medical Director, Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center

Mira Irons, MD
Associate Chief, Division of Genetics, Boston Children's Hospital

Stephen Huang, MD
Director, Thyroid Program, Boston Children's Hospital

Victor Fox, MD
Director, Center for Pediatric Polyposis, Boston Children's Hospital

Jill Brace O'Neill, MS, RN-CS, PNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Wen-Hann Tan, BMBS
Geneticist

Katherine Schneider, MPH, CGC
Genetic Counselor

Carly Grant, MS, CGCMO
Genetic Counselor

Sharyn Lincoln, MS, CGC
Genetic Counselor

Contact Us

The Pediatric Cancer Risk Program is located at:

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
450 Brookline Avenue
3rd Floor, Dana Building
Boston, MA 02215
Phone: 617-355-4388
Fax: 617-730-0466
Email: CancerRisk@childrens.harvard.edu 

Driving directions 

International Patients

For families residing outside of the United States, please contact Boston Children's Hospital's International Center, which facilitates the medical review of patient records and appointment scheduling and which provides assistance with customs and immigration, transportation, hotel and housing accommodations.