The Cancer Predisposition Program provides genetic counseling, testing and expert evaluation for children and young adults with cancer or an increased risk of cancer.
Our team helps families understand how genetics, family history and other health factors may affect cancer risk. We care for patients from birth through age 25 and create care plans based on each patient's needs.
Not every child referred to our program has a known cancer predisposition syndrome. Some have complex medical findings, unusual tumors or family histories that raise questions about cancer risk.
Our specialists look at the full picture to help determine whether a cancer predisposition may be involved.
We provide genetic counseling, testing and provider evaluation for patients with known cancer predisposition syndromes.
Our team helps families understand the condition and determine what evaluation and follow-up may be appropriate.
Some patients have findings that suggest a cancer predisposition syndrome without a molecular diagnosis.
Our team has experience with complex and rare cases. We review available medical information to help families better understand possible causes and next steps.
The Cancer Predisposition Program has extraordinary experience with rare tumor diagnosis, treatment and care. Our team also considers how rare tumors may relate to cancer predisposition syndromes.
This experience can be especially helpful when a tumor or medical history does not follow a typical pattern.
Understanding cancer risk starts with looking at the factors that may affect your child. These can include a cancer diagnosis, genetic findings, family history and other medical information.
Our team uses this information to help families understand what is known about their child's risk and what steps may be appropriate.
Every patient's cancer risk is different. Our team considers your child's individual health history and genetic information when evaluating cancer risk.
This helps guide recommendations for follow-up care and cancer screening when appropriate.
Family history can provide important clues about inherited cancer risk. We look at patterns of cancer among first- and second-degree family members.
Earlier cancer diagnoses in close relatives may be especially important. Our team can help determine whether these patterns warrant genetic counseling or testing.
Some genetic changes that increase cancer risk can be passed through families. Understanding whether an inherited risk may be present can help families make informed decisions about care.
Our genetic counselors explain what genetic findings may mean for your child and other family members.
Children with certain cancer predisposition syndromes may need ongoing monitoring. Our team helps families understand whether cancer surveillance may be recommended based on their child's individual risk.
When surveillance is appropriate, we help families understand what screening may be needed and when it should occur.
Surveillance needs can vary based on a child's diagnosis, genetic findings, family history and other health factors.
Our team works with families to develop an approach that fits the child's specific needs.
Cancer predisposition care may involve ongoing evaluation as a child grows. Our team helps families understand how risk and care needs may change over time.
We can also coordinate with other specialists when additional care is needed.
Genetic counseling helps families understand how genes may affect cancer risk. Our genetic counselors review your child's health history, cancer history and family history.
They explain whether genetic testing may be helpful and what different results could mean. They also help families understand how genetic information may affect other family members.
Genetic counseling may be recommended after a new cancer diagnosis. Testing can help determine whether an inherited genetic change may have contributed to your child's cancer.
This information may provide important guidance for your child's care. It may also help identify cancer risks for other family members.
A strong family history of cancer may suggest an increased risk for inherited cancer. This is especially important when close family members developed cancer at younger ages.
Our team reviews your family's cancer history to determine whether genetic counseling or testing may be appropriate.
Families may seek genetic counseling when a child has a known cancer predisposition syndrome. Counseling can help explain the condition and what it may mean for the child's health.
Our team can also help families understand genetic results and plan for appropriate follow-up care.
Genetic testing looks for changes in genes that may affect cancer risk. Testing may be recommended for children with cancer, a known cancer predisposition syndrome or a concerning family history.
Our genetic counselors explain the testing process and help families understand what the results may mean.
Children and young adults with a new cancer diagnosis may receive genetic counseling and testing. Testing can help identify an inherited genetic change that may be linked to the cancer.
These results may provide useful information for the patient's care and for family members who may also have an increased cancer risk.
Genetic testing can also help identify an increased risk for cancer before cancer develops.
This may be appropriate for children with a family history of a known cancer predisposition syndrome or a strong family history of cancer. Our team helps families understand whether testing may be useful based on their individual circumstances.
Some children have medical findings that suggest a cancer predisposition syndrome, but there is no confirmed genetic diagnosis.
These cases can be difficult to understand. Our team reviews the child's medical history, test results and other findings to determine whether additional genetic evaluation may help.
Cancer risk can be affected by many parts of a child's health. Our team brings together experts from genetics, oncology and other specialties to understand the full picture.
Depending on your child's needs, care may involve endocrinology, radiology, pathology, gastrointestinal medicine, surgery and other specialists. This team-based care helps create a clear plan based on your child's needs.
The Cancer Predisposition Program cares for patients from birth through age 25. We help support a seamless transition to adult care teams like our Hereditary Cancer Program when needed.
3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
© 2026 Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. All rights reserved.
