N. Hofland

After studying Biomedical Sciences at Leiden University, I worked at the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, among other places, for the GEO research project: Gene and Environment. In that role, I was able to approach families in my current department who had been diagnosed with a hereditary predisposition to breast/ovarian cancer. That's when I learned about the position of genetic counselor and was hired in December 2007, starting my training. With a brief diversion into connective tissue disorders, I've since worked in oncogenetics, which is also my absolute passion. My duties include recording family trees, explaining the possibilities of DNA testing or sometimes explaining why there's no reason for testing, recommending checkups, supporting patients and family members diagnosed with a hereditary form of cancer, and informing patients and their referrers by letter about the results of the research.