Abstract
In the past decade, the tools required to more clearly define a woman’s risk for development of breast cancer have begun to emerge. Our understanding of cancer at a molecular level and our understanding of how certain genetic mutations contribute to the development of cancer have facilitated this work. Advances in medical technology and discoveries stemming from the Human Genome Project now provide the means to test individuals for the presence of genetic mutations associated with some known hereditary cancer syndromes. Although many ethical, legal, and psychosocial issues associated with testing remain unresolved, genetic testing is having and will continue to have a significant impact on cancer care. Physicians in the community will have vital roles in educating individuals about the availability of cancer genetic testing, making referrals for cancer genetic counseling, and providing follow-up care.
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Mills, G.B., Rieger, P.T. (2001). Genetic Predisposition to Breast Cancer. In: Hunt, K.K., Robb, G.L., Strom, E.A., Ueno, N.T. (eds) Breast Cancer. M. D. Anderson Cancer Care Series. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-21842-7_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-21842-7_3
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