Cancer Genetics Resources at Greater Baltimore Medical Center

The Harvey Institute for Human Genetics at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) is one of a small number of community hospital-based genetic centers. The institute provides genetic counseling as well as information regarding genetic testing and cancer risk assessment. The goals of the program are to:

Provide genetic counseling for cancer risk.
Increase professional and public awareness of the complexity of cancer risk assessment and testing through printed material, seminars, and in-service presentations.
Increase practitioners’ appreciation of the importance of family history, and better acquaint them with what genetic counseling is and for whom genetic testing is appropriate.
Integrate cancer risk assessment into routine health care.

Cancer risk assessment sessions at GBMC provide patients and relatives with up-to-date, accurate information to help them reach informed decisions about their health care based on their genetic risks. Included in this process are:

family history analysis;
cancer risk assessment using detailed pedigree analysis and quantitative models;
assessment of other disease risk factors in a family history such as heart disease, osteoporosis, and stroke; and education regarding treatment, surveillance, hormone replacement therapy and tamoxifen use.

Each case is presented at a monthly meeting of the GBMC cancer risk assessment team, which includes clinical and surgical oncologists, oncology nurses, a social worker, geneticists, and laboratory representatives. Recommendations from this meeting are passed on to the client and the referring physician.

Persons interested in genetic testing for the breast cancer susceptibility genes are first required to undergo genetic counseling. After testing, patients attend a follow-up appointment to discuss the test results. Referrals to research studies and community support resources are also provided.

For more information, contact:
Harvey Institute for Human Genetics
Greater Baltimore Medical Center
6569 N. Charles St., PPW 208
Baltimore, MD 21204

Phone: (410) 828-3131
E-mail: genetics@gbmc.org