Pediatric & Young Adult Cancer Predisposition Clinic
Does cancer run in your family? For many in Kentucky, the answer is “yes.” Sometimes there is a genetic link that explains this increased cancer risk. In fact, inherited mutations cause about 10 percent of all cancers in children.
The Pediatric and Young Adult Cancer Predisposition Clinic within Kentucky Children’s Hospital was created to identify children with an increased risk of cancer and then provide the support and comprehensive care they need.
Who benefits from the Cancer Predisposition Clinic
Children and young adults who benefit from the Pediatric and Young Adult Cancer Predisposition Clinic at UK HealthCare typically have a strong family history of cancer or a family history of cancer occurring at a young age. Such a history may put a child or young adult at greater risk of developing cancer in their lifetime.
Your child may also be at a greater risk of developing cancer early in life if they have one of these conditions:
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
- Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome
- DICER1 syndrome
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia
- Polyposis syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome (FAP), juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS) and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS)
- Fanconi anemia
Genetic testing for cancer
One of our skilled genetic counselors will help you and your family decide if and when to have genetic testing. They will also identify which other family members may need genetic testing or counseling.
Although cancer itself cannot be passed down from generation to generation, you can inherit genetic changes that increase your cancer risk.
A pediatric cancer specialist will provide an evaluation. They will discuss risk, benefits and possible outcomes of genetic testing.
Genetic testing requires a simple blood draw or cheek swab. Once results are in, families learn what they need to know to make the best healthcare decision for them.
If no genetic predisposition to cancer is present, parents can relax and get back to life. Should your child have inherited mutations, we develop a program to monitor for early signs of cancer. We can also set up referrals to other pediatric experts to further observe your child’s condition.
Because each predisposition syndrome is different, so is each care plan. We tailor the program to best fit your child’s unique needs and goals for their future.
Care for children and young adults predisposed to cancer
We see children, adolescents and young adults through age 29 at the Pediatric and Young Adult Cancer Predisposition Clinic.
Care for children and young adults with an inherited predisposition to cancer typically starts with a personalized program. A patient at high risk for colon cancer, for example, may begin screening with a colonoscopy much earlier in life than others. A patient at risk for cancer in the eye would get regular eye exams by a specialist trained to look for these tumors. These steps help detect cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages.
Multidisciplinary approach
Because cancer affects all areas of life, the Pediatric and Young Adult Cancer Predisposition Clinic houses a multidisciplinary team of experts.
In addition to pediatric hematologists/oncologists, our team is made up of these highly experienced providers:
- Cancer genetic counselors
- Nurses and nurse navigators
- Nutrition experts
- School intervention specialists
- Social workers and child life specialists
- Dedicated pharmacy staff
Each team member is here to support you and your whole family throughout this journey.
Providing peace of mind
A family history of cancer is scary. So is finding out that you might have an increased risk of being diagnosed with cancer.
The Pediatric and Young Adult Cancer Predisposition Clinic at UK HealthCare seeks to empower patients and their families. Our goal is to help you better understand your risk for cancer and what we can do together to try to prevent it.
Everyone’s healthcare goals are unique. That’s why we take a tailored approach. We want to make sure you feel confident and comfortable in the care you receive from us.
Contact us
To learn about our clinic and whether increased cancer screening is needed, please call our genetic counseling team at 859-323-2798 or the DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic at 859-257-4554.