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Breast Cancer Genetic Counseling

At UVA Health, you can tap the expertise of breast cancer genetic counseling. Our genetic counselors are specialists in their field and a valuable part of our breast cancer team. They are here to give you an in-depth consultation to discuss your personal and family history of cancer.

Understanding your risk for breast cancer is not only important for your own health, but for your family's health as well.

Megan at age 2 with her father

Taking Control of Her Health

Finding out you might have a high risk for breast cancer can be scary — until you learn there's something you can do about it. Read how genetic counseling helped one patient protect her health.

Read Megan's Story

Why Get Genetic Counseling? 

Genetic counselors can help calculate your level of risk for breast and other cancers. Genetic counseling can also give you information that you and your family can use to make decisions about whether to get genetic testing.

If you learn you're at high risk for breast cancer, you can take steps to protect your health and be better prepared for the future.

We'll give you detailed recommendations to prevent cancer and catch it early if you do get cancer. We also offer a special program for women at high risk for breast cancer.

About Your Visit With a Breast Cancer Genetic Counselor

Before meeting with a genetic counselor, you will receive an intake packet of forms to complete, including a family history form. The completed forms are what the cancer genetic counselor uses to construct your family medical tree. The genetic counselor reviews the tree with a member of the breast care team and then they do a physical evaluation and make their recommendations.

At your genetic counseling visit, you will learn:

  • The specific inherited disorder(s) that may be suspected in you and/or your family
  • Genetic pattern(s) of inheritance of the disorder(s)
  • Risk that you inherited this, or may have passed this to your children
  • Risk of tumor development in anyone who carries the specific gene(s)
  • How often you should be screened and by what cancer specialties