Have you ever wondered, “Am I at risk?”
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that involve people. The main purpose of a clinical trial is to find a better way to prevent, diagnose or treat a disease.
About our Program
As much as 5-10 percent of all cancers may be linked to an inherited risk, and approximately 30 percent of cancer cases occur in families with close relatives who have experienced similar cancers. Today, at the Simmons Cancer Center, families have an ally in the science of risk assessment and counseling. Experts in the field of cancer genetics can help you identify your risk of developing cancer, and just as important, help you understand the options available to help you manage your health.
An inherited risk for cancer is higher when:
- Cancer is diagnosed at an unusually young age
- There is the same type of cancer in multiple close relatives
- You or a family member are of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry (Eastern or Central European descent) and have either breast or ovarian cancer
- You or a family member have a rare cancer/tumor, such as a sarcoma, male breast cancer, medullary thyroid cancer, or a pheochromocytoma
- You have a family history with a combination of breast and ovarian cancers or colon and uterine cancers
- You have more than 20 colon polyps
- You or a family member have had multiple different kinds of cancer
UT Southwestern’s Genetic Risk Assessment Service is the only research-based clinical program in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to offer testing and counseling for all identified types of cancer, including pediatric cancers.
Conditions We Treat
Research performed by our medical director, Dr. David Euhus, has revolutionized the technique of genetic risk assessment. Dr. Euhus and the clinic’s team of board-certified genetic counselors work with scientists and oncologists at UT Southwestern’s Simmons Cancer Center to research cancer prevention and therapies, and to give patients access to promising treatments through clinical trials.
Treatment Options
Our genetic counselors provide a personalized cancer screening and a written risk assessment. The evaluation takes about an hour and includes:
- A detailed family medical history
- A review of risk factors that include the inherited nature of cancer, environment, lifestyle and diet
- Genetic tests when indicated and interpretation of the results
- Recommended screenings and medical interventions, if necessary
- Referral to resources for follow-up care and support
To learn more about cancer genetics, spend some time in our Cancer Information library. If you have questions, be sure to talk with your physician or another member of your clinical care team.
Meet our Team
Get to know the physicians who comprise the Cancer Genetics Team.
Our Location
Simmons Biomedical Research Building
3rd Floor
North Campus
UT Southwestern Medical Center
6000 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75390
Phone: 214-645-HOPE(4673) or toll-free at 866-460-HOPE(4673)
View the printable UT Southwestern Visitor Guide for a campus map and detailed parking information. (Opens a new browser window.)