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1997/02/24 -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.
Joann Schellenbach
National Director Media Relations
American Cancer Society
212-382-2169
jschelle@cancer.org
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