Identifying hereditary cancer: genetic counseling and cancer risk assessment

The goal of cancer genetic counseling, risk assessment, and testing is to identify individuals and families at risk for hereditary cancer, such that targeted management strategies can be used to reduce associated morbidity and mortality. Involvement of a qualified cancer genetic service provider helps to ensure that at-risk individuals identified and offered appropriate education, risk assessment, genetic testing, and follow-up risk management strategies. There are multiple screening and hereditary risk models available to help the clinician identify who needs to be referred to cancer genetic counseling and to facilitate the cancer risk assessment process. Genetic testing should only be pursued with fully informed consent in the context of pretest counseling to ensure that the individual understands the benefits, risks, and limitations of genetic testing, possible results, and their implications. Incorporating psychosocial assessment throughout the counseling session may assist the individual in their understanding of genetic testing in the context of their support resources and coping mechanisms and may help with decision making. There is a growing public awareness of and interest in cancer genetic testing, as well as increasing complexity of available testing options and results. It is therefore essential that cancer genetic professionals, primary care providers, and oncology practitioners work together to ensure that genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromes is used in the most appropriate and effective way.