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Cancer Genetics and Prevention

Cancer Genetics and Prevention Overview

  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute developed one of the first clinical cancer genetics and prevention programs in the world. The program was first developed based on the fundamental work of Dr. Frederick P. Li, one of the founders of the field of cancer genetics and one of the physicians who first recognized Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

    Today, we provide expert comprehensive care for cancer patients, survivors and families who have had cancer, for their family members, and for individuals who hope to avoid cancer.

    A visit to the Cancer Genetics and Prevention Clinic usually includes time with both a physician and a genetic counselor, both of whom have expertise in all forms of inherited cancer syndromes. We educate patients about cancer risk and its implications for them and their family members. Working with referring physicians, we design individualized programs to monitor for the earliest signs of cancer — diagnosing if it occurs, and, in many cases, preventing it from arising.

    If you or your doctor thinks that you are at increased risk of developing cancer or may have an inherited risk of cancer, we can provide an estimate of your risk as accurately as possible, and work with you, and your health care team to provide strategies to help lower your cancer risk.

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  • Center for BRCA and Related Genes

    Mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, and BRCA-related genes confer increased risk of certain cancers when inherited. These mutations can also be acquired by the cancers themselves. The Center for BRCA and Related Genes provides comprehensive care for patients with inherited and acquired mutations, including clinical therapeutic trials, trials of risk-reducing strategies, and studies of novel early detection markers.

  • Our Expertise

    Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Center for Cancer Genetics and Prevention includes a team of expert health professionals — medical oncologists, gastroenterologists, geneticists, gynecologists, psychologists, surgeons, nurses, and genetic counselors — who provide cancer risk assessment and comprehensive recommendations for managing cancer risk. We partner with the Pediatric Cancer Genetics Program to offer families complete genetic testing and management recommendations.

    Dana-Farber's clinical psychologists work with patients from hereditary cancer families. We regularly consult with individuals who are considering, or have had, genetic testing for a variety of adult and pediatric cancer.

    As part of risk assessment, we offer genetic and genomic testing to determine risk for inherited cancer syndromes such as breast and ovarian cancer syndromes (BRCA1 and BRCA2), Lynch Syndrome, and various rare cancer syndromes.

    We also conduct research into many aspects of cancer risk and its management.

    The landscape of the field of genetics is rapidly changing. We provide advanced options in genetic testing across the spectrum of new and established inherited cancer syndromes, including:

    Learn about our Specialty Centers and Programs for specific hereditary cancers and syndromes.

  • Cancer Genetics News and Information

    An illustration of a molecule of DNA. Gene mutations, when present, exist in the DNA in the egg sperm at the time of conception and exists in every cell of your body.  
    Insight Blog
    4/5/2023

    Acquired vs. Inherited Mutations in Cancer: What You Need to Know 

    • Lynch Syndrome
    • Cancer Genetics
    Publications
    3/16/2023

    How Dana-Farber is transforming the narrative in the early detection and treatment of a stubborn cancer

    • BRCA
    • Lynch Syndrome
    • Research
    • Pancreatic Cancer
    Publications
    1/3/2023

    How Dana-Farber's environment of collaboration sparks new clinical trials and results in a far-reaching impact

    • BRCA
    • Research
    • Susan F. Smith Center
    • Ovarian Cancer
    Paul Richardson, MD
    Insight Blog
    6/8/2022

    Advances in Myeloma, Breast Cancer, and Clinical Trials Equity: A Dana-Farber Research Update

    • Inclusion, Diversity & Equity
    • Lynch Syndrome
    • Brain Tumors, Childhood
    • Lung Cancers
    • Glioblastoma
    • Breast Cancer
    • Multiple Myeloma
    Dana-Farber researchers presenting studies at the 2022 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
    News Releases
    5/26/2022

    Targeted agents, combination therapies, and clinical trial equity headline Dana-Farber research at ASCO Annual Meeting

    • Lynch Syndrome
    • Research
    • Neuroblastoma, Childhood
    • Brain Tumors
    • Neuro-oncology
    • Breast Cancer
    • Multiple Myeloma
    Publications
    4/29/2022

    Remembering a Groundbreaking Cancer Researcher

    • BRCA
    • Ovarian Cancer
    • Breast Cancer
    Matt Yurgelun, MD.
    Insight Blog
    3/7/2022

    Director of the Lynch Syndrome Center Shares his Personal Connection to Lynch Syndrome

    • Lynch Syndrome
    • Patient Stories, Adult
    Publications
    1/25/2022

    Dana-Farber Researchers Devise Powerful New Drug Pairings to Improve the Effectiveness of Ovarian Cancer Therapies

    • BRCA
    • Research
    • Ovarian Cancer
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    News Releases
    12/13/2021

    Dana-Farber to steward and grow Bright Pink’s robust suite of cancer prevention resources

    • Ovarian Cancer
    • Cancer Genetics
    • Breast Cancer