Cancer Genome Institute »Related Resources »Dept. of Clinical Genetics

The Department of Clinical Genetics is built on the success of Fox Chase's Margaret Dyson Family Risk Assessment Program, which Dr. Mary Daly began in 1991.

A high-risk screening clinic was developed for individuals with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. In addition to the clinic, genetic counseling was provided for both high risk and breast and ovarian cancer patients. As the clinic developed, it became clear that it was important to provide consultations for biopsy findings that put women at increased risk. 

Since then, Fox Chase has expanded risk assessment services to those at high risk for all cancers.

Clinical Genetics Staff List

• Mary B. Daly, MD, PhD, FACP
  Chair, Department of Clinical Genetics
  Timothy R. Talbot Jr. Chair for Cancer Research;
  Co-Leader, Keystone Program in Personalized Risk and Prevention
• Veda N. Giri, MD
  Director, Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment
  
• Michael J. Hall, MD
  Director, Gastrointestinal Risk Assessment
• Paula Ryan, MD, PhD
  Director, Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk Assessment

Advance Practice Clinicians

• Joan James, PA-C
• Agnes Masny, RN, MPH, MSN, CRNP

 

Building the Profile:
Family History + Genetic Data

A combination of your family history and your genetic data is used to build a profile of your risk for all cancer types, including — but not limited to — breast, ovarian, uterine, gastrointestinal (including colon), prostate, thyroid, and melanoma.

Research

The Department of Clinical Genetics is closely aligned with ongoing research initiatives in Fox Chase's Cancer Prevention and Control Program, as well as its Keystone Program in Personalized Risk and Prevention, a collaborative translational science program co-led by Daly and funded through philanthropic donations to Fox Chase.

Risk Assessment

Our Risk Assessment Program (RAP) was one of the first in the nation to offer screening, education, and counseling to healthy people at increased genetic risk for disease.

Cancer risk assessment looks at your personal and possible inherited genetic factors that may put you at higher possibility for getting cancer. Knowing your risk helps you learn what you can do to lower your chances of getting cancer.
Read more about Risk Assessment »