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Overview

The goal of the Penn State Cancer Genetics Program is to provide individuals with information and guidelines based on their family history and/or genetic test results that will help in the prevention and early detection of cancer.

The Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center offers extensive counseling through our program, including:

• A detailed evaluation of your family history and other risk factors.
• An assessment of your personal cancer risks.
• Discussion of genetic testing when appropriate, including risks, benefits and limitations.
• A thorough review of prevention and screening options.
• A full written report summarizing your counseling sessions.
• Research studies to better understand the various causes of cancer.

In order to provide an accurate risk assessment, medical records are requested to document the family history of cancer.

Cancer genetic counseling is provided in a personal and confidential manner. All medical information is regarded as your personal property. We will not release any information from your medical records, including genetic counseling and test results without your prior written authorization.

Factors that may Increase your Risk for Cancer

While everyone has some risk of developing cancer, genetic testing may not be appropriate for all families. The following factors may determine when genetic testing is appropriate:

• History of cancer in a relative or personal history of cancer, especially when diagnosed at an early age.

• A relative with several different types of cancer (not due to spread or metastasis from the initial cancer site).

• Multiple relatives with the same or different cancers.

• Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish ancestry on your mother or father’s side of the family.

• A rare cancer in one or more family members.

• A known cancer susceptibility syndrome in the family such as:

  • Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer (Lynch Syndrome)

  • Familial Adeomatous Polyposis

  • Hereditary Breast-Ovarian Cancer Syndrome

  • Li-Fraumeni Syndrome

  • Von-Hippel-Lindau Syndrome

  • Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia

  • Retinoblastoma

  • Familial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma Syndrome

Genetic Counselors

Maria J. Baker, Ph.D. is a Genetic Counselor/Medical Geneticist of the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Cancer Genetics Program. She is also an Assistant Professor in Pediatrics.

Her special interests include hereditary cancer syndromes, genetic testing, ethical, legal and social issues relating to cancer predisposition.

Dr. Baker is board-certified by the American Board of Medical Genetics  and the American Board of Genetic Counseling.  She received her Masters Degree in Genetic Counseling from the Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh and her Ph.D. in Medical Genetics from the Pennsylvania State University. 

For more information about the Penn State Cancer Genetics Program, or to schedule an appointment, call 717-531-1631.

If you are not in proximity to the Penn State Cancer Institute and would like to find a cancer genetics program closer to your home, you can click on either of the two links listed below:

National Cancer Institute: "Cancer Genetics Services"

National Society of Genetic Counselors: "Find a Counselor"