What is the Cancer Assessment and Prevention Unit?

This innovative healthcare service brings patients:

• Cancer risk assessment and evaluations based on individual and family history.
• Development of a plan for early cancer detection based on risk and prevention recommendations.
• Genetic counselling/advice: a process whereby patients and/or family members with a hereditary predisposition to cancer are informed of the probability of transmitting the hereditary susceptibility, the risk of developing the disease, screening and prevention measures, the possibility of genetic testing, and the prophylactic and therapeutic options available to mutation carriers.
• Psychological counselling, if necessary.

The objectives of cancer risk counselling and genetic counselling are to inform patients and their families about the risk of developing cancer by:

1. Raising awareness of the environmental and genetic risk factors for cancer.
2. Detecting how heredity contributes to cancer and the risk to family members.
3. Informing family members about the means available for early detection and prevention, as well as lifestyle recommendations.
4. Decide on the best course of action, taking into account the risk, the objectives of the patient and their family, their motivations and the wishes of the patient and family, while respecting their autonomy.
5. Assessment and consideration of the potential emotional impact that the results of a genetic analysis may have.