ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to provide a brief overview of the current state of genetic testing for cancer genes and to describe some of the ethical and psychological issues which may affect the impact of genetic testing for cancer susceptibility in paediatrics. One of the most frequent motivations offered by adults seeking genetic testing is the wish to know more about their children's risk of developing cancer. Such personal beliefs may explain some of the lack of congruity between knowledge of cancer risk and adherence to recommendations for cancer screening. Genetic testing of paediatric cancer survivors to determine their likelihood of developing a second malignancy could potentially result in medical benefit if genetic identification improved the survival rates of patients who developed secondary malignancies. There is considerable hysteria in the discussion about genetic testing of children for cancer susceptibility.
