Hereditary cancer syndromes: nursing's role in identification and education

Cancer often clusters in a particular family. Such clusterings may be due to chance but also may result from common environmental factors, from heredity, or from an interaction of the two. This article focuses on those families with hereditary cancer; specifically, cancers of the breast, skin, and colon. Key indicators for each site have been identified to aid in hereditary cancer diagnosis. Surveillance and management strategies differ with each hereditary cancer necessitating varying approaches. The educational and support needs of families provide clear opportunities for the oncology nurse.