Setting up and running a familial cancer clinic

This article is based on the author's own experience of establishing and running a familial cancer clinic over the past 9 years. There are certainly other ways of doing it, depending on the clinical context--resources, involvement of colleagues from other specialities--and each clinic should be adapted to local circumstances. As the familial component of the common cancers such as breast and colorectal cancers is increasingly recognised, and DNA-based predictive testing becomes a possibility, the future demand for genetic advice is likely to increase dramatically. This will almost certainly require a re-appraisal of the way in which familial cancer services are provided, which is discussed in the final section.