DKG certifies MHH Centre for Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer

Centre Director Brigitte Schlegelberger ( left ) with Tim Ripperger, PhD, Senior Physician and Team Leader Applied Genetics at the Institute of Human Genetics; Copyright: Karin Kaiser/MHH - DKG certifies excellent quality of care for women at increased risk of breast and/or ovarian cancer If there is a high incidence of breast and/or ovarian cancer in the family or if women develop the disease at a young age, this is usually due to hereditary causes. At the Centre for Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer (FBREK) of the Hannover Medical School (MHH), those affected and those seeking advice are cared for by an interdisciplinary team from Human Genetics, the Breast Centre, the Gynaecological Cancer Centre, Radiology and Pathology. After a comprehensive assessment by the independent certification institute OnkoZert of the German Cancer Society (DKG), the DKG now certifies that the centre provides excellent care for families at risk. "Knowledge about the hereditary basis of breast and ovarian cancer has developed very rapidly in recent years. As the FBREK Centre, we can ensure that this new knowledge reaches those affected directly," says Professor Brigitte Schlegelberger, head of the FBREK Centre and the Institute of Human Genetics at the MHH. Peter Hillemanns, Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) of the MHH, is also pleased: "We are very glad to have gained another organ-specific centre in the Oncology Centre of our CCC with the certified FBREK Centre. Families at risk can be sure to receive quality-assured counselling, risk analysis as well as genetic diagnostics and, if necessary, targeted therapy at our centre." The certificate is awarded for three years.