Family history information and genetic test results can help guide management decisions. For many conditions, guidelines exist for using genetic information to manage disease and risk. See the resources and courses below for more information about how family history and genetic testing data can be used for personalized patient management. 

Clinical resources

Hereditary cancer management guidelines. Lists and links to evidence-based guidelines and professional society publications that address management of hereditary and familial cancer. 

Cancer screening. Summarizes professional society guidance about screening for individuals at average, increased, and high risk of breast, prostate and colorectal cancer.

Breast cancer risk and screening guidelines. Screening guidelines for patients at average, increased, and high genetic breast cancer risk. 

Genetically related cancers. Cancers and distinguishing clinical features associated with select cancer syndromes. Can help in risk assessment, pre-test counseling, and patient communication about a genetic diagnosis.

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP). Clinical aspects of familial adenomatous polyposis and attenuated FAP.

Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (HBOC). Clinical features, diagnosis, testing and genetics of HBOC syndrome.

Lynch syndrome. Clinical features, diagnosis, testing and genetics of Lynch syndrome.

Communicating risk. Key points to consider when communicating risk to patients.

Assessing cancer genetic services. Find genetics professionals and communicate with patients about a genetics referral.

Cancer genetics services (in ME and CT). Listing of available cancer genetics services in Maine and Connecticut.

Components of a cancer genetic counseling session. Discusses the core components of a cancer genetic counseling session.

Patient resources

Hereditary breast cancer patient and family resources. Patient resources for understanding genetic services and breast cancer genetics.

Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues

GINA overview. The Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act (GINA) protects individuals from the misuse of genetic information, such as family health history, in health insurance and employment. This overview provides information about the law.

Educational Resources

The value of family history in the prenatal care practice. A slideset for educators on the value of family history in general prenatal care that focuses on family history collection, interpretation, and application to patient management in prenatal case studies.

Courses

Using family history to inform management. Self-directed, 15-minute online program about determining appropriate management based on family history risk using available guidelines. (free CME available)

Genetic testing for breast cancer risk. Self-directed, 15-minute online program about evaluating how well a particular genetic test assesses breast cancer risk (clinical validity) and the potential impact of testing on patient outcomes (clinical utility). (free CME available)

Genetic testing for colorectal cancer risk. Self-directed, 15-minute online program about evaluating the fit between a patient's history and a particular genetic test for hereditary colon cancer syndromes. (free CME available)

Interpreting genetic testing results. Self-directed, 15-minute online program about interpreting genetic testing results within a patient’s specific context. (free CME available)