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Management Guidelines for Increased Cancer Risk

Summary: Provides access to current management guidelines based on genetic or familial risk.

By JAX Clinical Education | July 2026


Management guidelines have been developed for several types of hereditary cancer susceptibility. However, guidelines do not exist for all hereditary cancers or all moderate-risk genes. For example, there are no widely accepted guidelines for pancreatic cancer screening.Guidelines do change regularly, so be sure to check for updates prior to using them for patient care.

The following organizations provide guidance for management for individuals at increased and high risk for cancer. Those that provide a guideline for a specific cancer type (breast, colorectal or prostate) are included in the charts below. These same groups, as well as others, may have published recommendations on when to consider genetic testing for hereditary cancer risk.

Management Guidelines Based on Genetic or Familial Risk

Breast Cancer

Organization

Genetic/Hereditary Risk

Increased/Familial Risk

American Cancer Society

2023

2023

American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists

2017

American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society for Radiation Oncology, and the Society of Surgical Oncology

2020

2020

National Comprehensive Cancer Network*

Genetic/Familial High Risk Assessment Breast, Ovarian, Pancreatic, and Prostate v.3.2026

Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis v.1.2026

* The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) requires a free registration to access guidelines. These guidelines are frequently updated.

Colon Cancer

Organization

Genetic/Hereditary Risk

Increased/Familial Risk

American Academy of Family Physicians

2018

2018

American College of Gastroenterology

2015

American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists

2014

American College of Physicians

2012

American Gastrological Association

2023

American Society of Clinical Oncology

2015

National Comprehensive Cancer Network*

Genetic/Familial High Risk Assessment Colorectal, Endometrial, and Gastric v.1.2025

Colorectal Cancer Screening v.2.2026

US Multi Society Task Force

2014

* The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) requires a free registration to access guidelines

Prostate Cancer

Organization

Genetic/Hereditary Risk

Increased/Familial Risk

American Cancer Society

2023

2023

American College of Physicians

2013

National Comprehensive Cancer Network*

Genetic/Familial High Risk Assessment Breast, Ovarian, Pancreatic, and Prostate Cancer Early Detection v.3.2026

Prostate Cancer Early Detection v.2.2026

US Preventive Services Task Force

2018

* The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) requires a free registration to access guidelines

All information in this resource is provided for educational purposes only.

Learn More

Hereditary Cancer Clinical Education (CME|CNE). Case-based modules that let you practice identifying and managing patients at risk for hereditary cancer.

Disclaimer

All information in this resource is provided for educational purposes only.

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