Susan Montgomery, BSN, RN, GCN, OCN

I have been so fortunate to have worked at Fox Chase Cancer Center for my entire nursing career.  I joined the Risk Assessment Program (RAP) over twenty years ago at the advent of hereditary genetic testing.  Our focus in RAP is to identify patients at risk for cancer, either because they’ve been diagnosed with a high risk finding or because of their family history of cancer.  We provide genetic counseling and testing, as well as close medical surveillance through our outpatient clinic. 

Another goal of our Risk Assessment Program is research.   One of our research studies has developed ways to help families communicate genetic test results.  We have also joined with other research centers to study markers that might help detect early ovarian cancer.  Currently we have a study hoping to identify genes related to prostate cancer.

I enjoy participating in the research, but my passion has always been patient care.  As genetic nurse navigator, I assist our genetics team in providing genetic counseling and testing.  I also follow our high risk patients through their medical management and clinical follow up.  We often see patients for genetic consult who have recently been diagnosed with cancer and the decision about genetic testing can be somewhat overwhelming.  In addition, many of our clinical patients live with concern and anxiety because of their elevated cancer risk.  I consider it an honor and privilege to care for our patients, and I try to provide them support and encouragement as they navigate the sometimes complex world of genetics and cancer risk.