Breast and Ovarian Cancer Genetics Program

The Breast and Ovarian Cancer Genetics Program helps to identify and provide comprehensive, coordinated medical care for families that have a hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer syndrome. Under the direction of Leif W. Ellisen, MD, PhD, our program includes specialists in both breast oncology and genetics, and we also work closely with the gynecology/oncology group at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Patients with pathogenic variants in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer genes are managed comprehensively with our team of physicians and genetic counselors. We also provide risk assessment for patients interested in an evaluation for hereditary breast or ovarian cancer. During the initial genetics consultation, family history is carefully reviewed. If your personal or family history suggests a possible genetic risk, we will discuss the option of genetic testing.

Should You Consider Genetic Counseling?

Our program is appropriate for any individual that has a pathogenic variant in a breast and ovarian cancer predisposition gene. It may also be appropriate if you have a personal or family history of one or more of the following:

• Breast cancer diagnosed before age 45
• Breast cancer in three or more people on one side (maternal or paternal) of the family
• Bilateral breast cancer diagnosis
• Breast cancer in an individual of Ashkenazi Jewish descent
• Ovarian cancer
• Family history of:
• Breast and ovarian cancer
• Breast, thyroid and uterine cancer
• Breast, sarcoma, leukemia, adrenal cortical cancer and brain cancer
• Breast cancer and diffuse gastric cancer
• Breast and pancreatic cancer

Hereditary Breast/Ovarian Cancer Diseases

The conditions most commonly discussed with patients in our program include:

• Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (BRCA1/2 genes)
• Li-Fraumeni syndrome (TP53 gene)
• Cowden syndrome, also known at PTEN-hamartoma tumor syndrome (PTEN gene)
• Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer syndrome (CDH1 gene)

View our library of fact sheets about inherited cancer risk and genetic testing.