A new report says the rapid discovery of cancer-related genes and increasing awareness of genetic testing among patients makes it more important than ever for health professionals to learn how to identify and advise patients at risk for hereditary cancers. The report appears in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, and outlines the components of providing a hereditary cancer risk assessment.

Randa Sifri, MD, of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and colleagues say while hereditary cancers are relatively uncommon (estimated to account for 5 percent of diagnosed breast, ovarian, and colon cancers), they are important to recognize. They confer a high risk of multiple primary cancers that can occur at younger ages, affecting multiple family members who inherit a cancer-related gene.

The authors say patient interest and awareness of testing are driving demand, pointing to studies that show patient inquiry as one of the strongest predictors of health providers ordering or referring for testing.

The authors say other, non-specialist health providers will play a growing role in providing cancer genetic services: "With the advent of newer technology available to identify genetic mutations associated with increased risk, and with newer modalities available to prevent cancer, it is becoming increasingly important that all physicians become familiar with the elements of hereditary cancer risk assessment."

SOURCES:
CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 2004;54:309-326
American Cancer Society (http://www.cancer.org)