Cancer Genetics Clinics

2024/12/12

Cancer Genetics Clinic

Cancer genetics service has been offered by the NCIS since 2001. The cancer genetics service provides genetic counselling to individuals with a personal and/or family history of cancer. Most cancers occur by chance. However, a small percentage of cancers are caused by an inherited gene mutation, or are hereditary. Identifying a genetic predisposition to cancer allows patients and their families to personalise cancer screening guidelines, medical care and treatment options.

NCIS Engage WhatsApp Education Bot

The NCIS Engage WhatsApp Bot makes it easy for you to learn more about Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (HBOC) prior to your visit with us. Go ahead and tap the button below to launch the Bot on WhatsApp.

You will need to greet Angie the Bot by typing "hello".

ENGAGE WhatsApp Bot

Who Should go for Genetic Evaluation and Counselling

Genetic evaluation and counselling will be beneficial to you if you have a personal or family history of the following:

Young onset cancer (e.g. breast cancer before age 40 or colon cancer before age 50)
Multiple family members affected by the same type of cancer or related cancers (e.g. breast and ovarian, colon and uterine)
Multiple primary cancers diagnosed in one individual
Known genetic mutation in the family
Rare tumours (e.g. male breast cancer, paraganglioma, medullary thyroid cancer)
Presence of other clinical features associated with an inherited cancer syndrome (e.g. multiple colonic polyps)

The Genetic Counselling Process

Patients referred to the cancer genetics service are evaluated and counselled individually or with their family members. During each new consultation, the patient's cancer and family histories are evaluated and an assessment is done.

Patients suspected of having a genetic predisposition of a particular genetic syndrome are counselled on the following:

Genetic education and counselling on suspected genetic syndrome
Discussion of lifetime risks of cancers associated with suspected syndrome
Potential benefits and risks of genetic testing
Personalised screening recommendations for patient and family members
Recommendations on preventive options for cancer prevention
Options for research participation

If genetic testing is indicated, blood can usually be drawn on the same day following the counselling session.

Our Cancer Genetics Team

Our cancer genetics team is committed to providing comprehensive clinical genetic services, education and support to patients and their family members.

The cancer genetics service is directed by Dr Lee Soo Chin, a Medical Oncologist trained in cancer genetics at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA, and was credentialed in 'Familial cancer risk assessment and management' by the Institute for Clinical Evaluation in the USA.