Volume 4, Number 11, Supplement 4 (November 2007)

Cancer Genetics

2

Hereditary cancer testing in community oncology practices

Linda D. Bosserman, MD, FACP, Julia A. Smith, MD, PhD, Beth Hellerstedt, MD, and Larry Geier, MD

Wilshire Oncology Medical Group, Inc., La Verne, CA; New York University Cancer Institute, New York, NY; Texas Oncology Cancer Center, Austin, TX; and Kansas City Cancer Center, Kansas City, MO

Approximately one-fifth of all newly diagnosed patients with breast and colon cancers are at risk for a hereditary cancer syndrome. Mutations associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancers and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer significantly increase the risk of primary breast or ovarian cancer and colorectal or endometrial cancer, respectively, as well as other less common tumors. These risks extend to family members, especially first-degree relatives. Therefore, identifying at-risk individuals, pre- and post-test risk assessment and counseling, and genetic testing are important aspects of oncology care. This article highlights general features of hereditary cancer syndromes, approaches to identifying patients, and guidelines for testing and counseling within community-based oncology practices. Options for medical management ranging from heightened cancer surveillance to prophylactic surgery are discussed.

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Funding for this publication was provided by Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc.

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