ABSTRACT
Major advances in the understanding of the molecular basis of cancer have made it
possible to identify families where breast cancer risk has a strong inherited basis.
Individuals who perceive themselves to be at high cancer risk are increasingly seeking out
clinical genetics services that assess their cancer risk and provide management
recommendations. Physicians are also increasingly referring patients for genetic testing,
since identification of genetic risk may influence certain patient treatment choices both
around the time of diagnosis, such as whether to have prophylactic surgery as part of their
definitive treatment, and during long-term management. Comprehensive cancer genetics
clinics, often involving oncology and genetics professionals, offer these services to
individuals largely concerned about the implications of their family history of cancer. In
addition, clinicians in many specialties are being called upon by their patients to provide
information about genetics and cancer risk.
