OVERVIEW OF CANCER AND GENETICS - IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSE PRACTITIONERS

The understanding of cancer at a molecular level and of the contributi on of certain genetic mutations to the development of cancer is progre ssing at an unparalleled rate. Advances in technology and discoveries stemming from the Human Genome Project now provide the means to test i ndividuals for the presence of mutations associated with some known he reditary cancer syndromes. Although many ethical, legal, and psychosoc ial issues associated with testing remain unresolved, predisposition g enetic testing is having and will continue to have a significant impac t on health care. Nurse practitioners will play a vital role in assess ing clients for increased risk of developing cancer, educating clients about the availability of testing, making referrals for cancer geneti c counseling and risk assessment, and providing follow-up care in the community for patients found to be at increased risk.