Sophie van der Velden

I have been working at the Hereditary Cancer Clinic at the Netherlands Cancer Clinic as a genetic consultant since 2005. During consultations, I see people who have developed cancer at an early age or people who have had cancer occur often in their family. We investigate whether the cancer is hereditary.

I guide people who come in for genetic testing. We discuss the pros and cons of the examination. The results of the DNA test can have major consequences for cancer treatment, such as surgery for people who carry a genetic predisposition to develop breast cancer, and for recommendations for screenings and potential preventive surgeries. The results may also affect the rest of the family. If a genetic component is found, family members can come in for tests to find out whether they also carry this hereditary predisposition.