Journal of Nutrition

Home Help [Feedback] [For Subscribers] [Archive] [Search] [Contents]
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Purchase Article
Right arrow View Shopping Cart
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by McKelvey, K. D.
Right arrow Articles by Evans, J. P.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by McKelvey, K. D., Jr.
Right arrow Articles by Evans, J. P.

© 2003 The American Society for Nutritional Sciences J. Nutr. 133:3767S-3772S, November 2003

Supplement: International Research Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Cancer

Cancer Genetics in Primary Care1

Kent D. McKelvey, Jr.*,2 and James P. Evans{dagger}

* University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Little Rock, AR 72205 and {dagger} University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Departments of Medicine and Genetics, Chapel Hill, NC 27599

2 To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: mckelvey{at}uams.edu.

Primary care physicians are in a unique position to apply recent advances in cancer genetics to the improved care of their patients. Although the impact of our burgeoning knowledge in this area is significant and growing, it is often incompletely understood by the general practitioner. In this article we review the genetic basis of cancer and focus attention on inherited forms of cancer using breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2) as examples. Specific attributes of family and personal history are the most significant indicators of an increased risk of cancer in the individual patient. Genetic testing can be used to further assess risk and guide strategies for cancer screening, prevention, and treatment. However, the decision of whether to pursue genetic testing and the interpretation of results are complex. We review factors involved in these decisions as well as the implications, risks, and benefits of genetic testing for the individual and the family.

KEY WORDS: • BRCA • cancer genetics • familial cancer






Home Help [Feedback] [For Subscribers] [Archive] [Search] [Contents]
Copyright © 2003 by American Society for Nutrition