Secondary Prevention of Familial Cancer: the Role of Central Registration

Abstract

Secondary prevention of families at high risk for developing cancer is more attractive than population screening because the yield of screening is higher, the compliance of families better and the potential gain in life-expectance of screening in hereditary cancer larger because of the early onset of hereditary cancer. Surveillance of high-risk groups should, therefore, have the highest priority. Because, it has been estimated that genetic factors play a role in the development of 10–15% of most cancers, secondary prevention of high-risk families on a large scale may ultimately reduce cancer-related-mortality by up to 10%. The first step to reach this goal is identification of the high-risk families by taking a detailed family history in all patients with cancer. A second important step is to establish regional and/or national hereditary cancer registries that promote follow-up of these families and assure the continuity of the lifelong surveillance program. These registries have also an important role in the evaluation of the recommended protocols. Data collected by the hereditary cancer registry are an inexhaustible source for