Prevention and Early Detection for Hereditary Cancer Syndromes

Background

For multiple hereditary cancer syndromes, genetic testing can identify individuals at high risk of cancer who may benefit from specialized prevention, screening, or treatment. Likewise, genetic testing may help guide the future medical care of family members. Unfortunately, many individuals lack access to genetic testing and counseling.

This underuse of genetic testing and counseling is a missed opportunity to identify individuals and their family members who are at increased risk of cancer and who can benefit from cancer screening and preventive interventions.