Introduction

Why Is
Family History
Important?

What Types of
Family History
Are Important?

Are You At
Risk Based on
Family History?

Is Genetic
Testing for You?

Where to Go
for Help:
-  Additional Reading
-  Additional Links
-  Slide Presentation

Additional
Information
for Health
Care Providers

Site Map

Glossary

Massachussetts
General Hospital
Homepage

Massachussetts
General Hospital
Cancer Services

Introduction

Provides a brief summary of the information found throughout this site, including the meaning of having a family history of breast cancer and ovarian cancer, and information about the role of genetic testing.

Why Is Family History Important?

Provides a more in depth discussion regarding the meaning of family history, and the risk of cancer for members of these families.

What Types of Family History Are Important?

Shows real family histories and discusses the implications relative to hereditary cancer.

Are You At Risk Based on Family History?

Briefly summarizes the characteristics of families that are at increased risk of breast or ovarian cancer, and describes steps a woman can take to determine her risk.

Is Genetic Testing for You?

Discusses the pros and cons of genetic testing, and provides an in depth look at the difficulties involved in undertaking testing.

Where to Go for Help

Describes the Massachussetts General Hospital Breast & Ovarian Cancer Genetics & Risk Assessment Program, in Boston, Massachusetts, and its mission to identify, counsel, and manage women at high risk of breast or ovarian cancer.

Additional Information for Health Care Providers

More in-depth information, especially geared toward health care professionals.

Glossary

Definitions of terms used when discussing genetic testing.

Other Breast & Ovarian Cancer Genetics & Risk Assessment Programs

Provides a geoimages listing of Breast & Ovarian Cancer Genetics & Risk Assessment Programs.

Complete Slide Set

An online-version (it loads faster) of this presentation is soon to come. All imagess and text for a complete slide presentation on family history and the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Reading this will give a more complete overview of this topic. This slide set can be downloaded in PowerPoint and used at your institution for presentations.

Download Slide Set

Download the PowerPoint presentation (slide40.ppt). It is in Windows format but can also be opened in PowerPoint for Macintosh. Total bites: 4.3 mb. This PPT file includes a script for the slide presentation under "Notes Pages View." You are welcome to download, and use the slides for presentations. We ask that you do not modify the slides, do not remove the credits from the slide stating "The Massachussetts General Hospital," and do not use the imagess in any publications without express written permission.