American Cancer Society Holds Conference on Latest Issues in Cancer Genetic Testing

American Cancer Society
Monday, 24 February 1997

Information relating to genetic testing for hereditary cancers is emerging fast and furiously, with the upshot being that some health care professionals may be unprepared to counsel or answer questions from patients.

Responding to this need for dissemenation of current information on cancer genetic testing, the American Cancer Society recently held a conference with topics covering hereditary cancer syndromes, methods of detecting genetic mutations, information on specific cancers, and in-depth counseling.

Although most cancers are not hereditary, about 5% to 10% may occur when a person inherits a faulty gene, predisposing that person to certain types of cancer. In the past few years, genes predisposing people to cancers of the breast, ovary, prostate, colon, thyroid, eye, skin, kidney and other organs have been discovered.

In some situations, a person with a high inherited cancer risk may undergo more frequent screening examinations, in order to detect a cancer at its earliest, most curable stage.

Occasionally, the cancer risk for some individuals is so high that prophylactic (preventive) surgery to remove the colon, thyroid, breasts or ovaries is undertaken. However, preventive measures are still not available for some hereditary cancers.

People with high inherited risk for cancer usually have multiple close relatives with cancers, which often occur at a young age and in uncommon locations. However, not all members of such families develop cancer. Recent advances in genetic testing and genetic counseling can help identify which members of these families may benefit from preventive tests or even surgery, and which members are not affected by this inherited tendency and need not take such special precautions.

Since these advances are so recent, many physicians, genetic counselors and nurses have not been educated or trained to handle their patients' needs for cancer genetic testing and counseling -- a situation the American Cancer Society hopes to remedy by continuing to support research into hereditary cancers, advocacy for access of affected individuals to insurance, continuing healthcare professional education and providing information to patients, their families and other interested individuals.

For more information, or to contact American Cancer Society, see their website at: www.cancer.org