RESOURCE DOCUMENT FOR CURRICULUM-DEVELOPMENT IN CANCER GENETICS EDUCATION

Purpose: The rapid growth in the use of genetic testing for heritable cancers and other diseases has led to the establishment of many commit tees to assess the status and future implications of such resting. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) published a statement on genetic resting for cancer susceptibility in May 1996. In that statem ent, ASCO recognized the need for a major initiative to develop course s and other educational materials for ASCO members and other health ca re professionals that were pertinent to cancer genetics and the role o f cancer predisposition testing in clinical oncology. These curriculum guidelines represent an effort to promote formal instruction on the a ssessment and management of familial cancer risks in training programs and continuing education courses. Design and results: An Ad hoc Task Force was created from the ASCO membership and other professional orga nizations. Goals of ASCO's cancer genetics education initiative, curri culum guidelines, and plans for implementation of the curriculum have been developed. To gain understanding and competency in cancer genetic s and cancer predisposition testing, the curriculum emphasizes formal instruction in: (1) basic concepts and principles of genetics; (2) an understanding of the role of genetics in the etiology, diagnosis, and management of different malignancies; (3) an understanding of the ethi cal, legal, and social issues that surround predisposition testing; an d (4) long-term management plans for individuals at high risk for canc er. This document is broad in scope and applicable to all types of mal ignancies. Ir should be considered as the framework around which cance r genetics education is developed. It is expected that implementation of training activities over the next few years will allow ASCO to fulf ill its obligations to the membership. Conclusion: This curriculum sho uld prove a valuable guide to those who wish further education on canc er genetics and the appropriate use of cancer predisposition testing. (C) 1997 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.