Abstract
Genetic diagnostics can make the prognosis of a malignant disease more precise, and its importance will increase in the future. The relatives of a patient with an inherited cancer syndrome can be examined for tumor predisposition through predictive genetic diagnostics. This possibility is important for risk-adapted early cancer recognition. Inherited breast/ovary cancer and inherited forms of bowel cancer are examples of successful application of this concept. Knowledge about a personal high cancer risk is a burden for the individual, so individualized genetic and clinical counseling is a prerequisite for good compliance of someone at high risk for cancer. Studies have shown that even a positive predictive test result is less burdensome for people than continuing uncertainty about their own risk situation. Patients and their families with inherited cancer predisposition should be supported in specialized centers. Modern genetics opens preventive and therapeutic options and can be reassuring, but it is neither a blessing nor a curse.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
