Authors: Turnbull, Clare; Hodgson, Shirley

Source: Clinical Medicine, Journal of the Royal College of Physicians, Volume 5, Number 5, September/October 2005 , pp. 491-498(8)

Publisher: Royal College of Physicians

Abstract:

Over recent decades a number of genes causing predisposition to cancer have been identified. Some of these cause rare autosomal dominant monogenic cancer predisposition syndromes. In the majority of families, the increased incidence of cancers is due to a multifactorial aetiology with a number of lower penetrance cancer predisposition genes interacting with environmental factors. Identification of those at increased risk of cancer on account of their family history is important, as genetic testing, enhanced surveillance, prophylactic surgery and chemoprophylaxis may be indicated. In this article the issues surrounding genetic predisposition to cancer are considered by examining two common cancers: colorectal and breast cancer.

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Keywords: BREAST; CANCER; COLORECTAL; GENES; GENETIC; HEREDITARY; INHERITED; MONOGENIC; PREDISPOSITION; SURVEILLANCE

Document Type: Review article

Publication date: 2005-09-01

More about this publication?

• Clinical Medicine is published six times a year and circulated to 20,000 Fellows and Members of the Royal College of Physicians. The journal is read by physicians both established and in training in hospitals across the world. It features a wide range of articles including original papers, professional issues, clinical guidance, medical humanities, ethics and clinical governance. The journal publishes the key features from the College lectures and conferences. Each issue has a CME section which reviews the latest advances in a chosen specialty.
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