Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) encourages people to get better acquainted with their family’s medical history. It’s a “gift” that can bless generations.

Even if cancer runs in your family, it doesn’t necessarily mean your cancer risk is high. However, knowing your family’s cancer history can help clarify your specific risks and help you take steps toward preventing cancer in the first place.

HCI has developed a questionnaire to help you track your family’s history of cancer. The questionnaire will also show if an appointment with HCI’s Family Cancer Assessment Clinic (FCAC) might benefit you. The FCAC is a medical and genetic consultation resource for people concerned about the role genetics may play in the cancers in their family.

Download and print the questionnaire, then complete it with your family this holiday. The more you know about your family’s medical history, the better able you’ll be to take care of your health.

Who would most benefit from the FCAC?

The FCAC may be especially helpful for people who have a personal or family history of:

• multiple family members affected by cancer of any type, especially in two or more generations
• several family members with pre-cancerous findings (such as colon polyps)
• cancer occurring at an earlier age than is usually seen (such as breast or colon cancer before age 50)
• more than one type of cancer diagnosed in one person
• an inherited cancer predisposition (such as BRCA 1 or 2 mutation, familial adenomatous polyposis [FAP], Gardner syndrome, hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer [HNPCC] or Lynch syndrome)
• rare or unusual cancers

What services are offered at the FCAC?

People who schedule an appointment in the FCAC will meet with a physician and a genetic counselor who specialize in family cancers. FCAC services include:

• a review of your family history of cancer and risk of developing cancer
• education on the role of genetics in cancer
• a discussion about available genetic testing options
• a limited physical examination
• a discussion of cancer screening recommendations, specific to you and your family, and ways to reduce cancer risk

Is genetic testing available to me at the FCAC?

Genetic testing is available for some families with a strong family history of certain types of cancer. During your appointment, we will discuss any genetic testing options that may be available for you or your family. If genetic testing is an option for you, we will provide you with education and counseling to help you decide whether or not genetic testing is right for you.

For More Information

Family Cancer Assessment Clinic
Huntsman Cancer Institute
University of Utah
2000 Circle of Hope
Salt Lake City UT 84112
(801) 587-9555

A family history of cancer does not always mean that your cancer risk is high. Information you receive at the Family Cancer Assessment Clinic can help clarify your specific risk.