New National Cancer Institute Studies Focus on Cancer-Prone Families

Institute: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

The NCI is conducting four new studies focusing on cancer-prone families. Researchers seek to learn which genes cause familial or hereditary cancer, how these genes work, why some families are at higher risk, and the types of monitoring and intervention strategies that are best for members of cancer-prone families.

People, and often entire families, can carry susceptibility genes which, when altered or mutated, may serve as genetic markers that identify individuals who are at increased risk of developing a certain type of cancer. Researchers want to answer their many questions as they meet with North American families fitting specific high risk profiles. The studies, led by Mark H. Greene, M.D., Chief, Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, NCI, will offer selected families a comprehensive medical and genetic research evaluation at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Some eligible families may also participate by sharing their medical information without traveling to the NIH. New studies include:

• Breast Imaging in Women at Increased Genetic Risk of Breast Cancer
  www.breastimaging.cancer.gov
• Familial Testicular Cancer
  www.familial-testicular-cancer.cancer.gov
• Inherited Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes
  www.marrowfailure.cancer.gov
• Prospective Study of Women at Increased Genetic Risk of Ovarian Cancer
  For more information, visit: http://clinicalstudies.info.nih.gov/cgi/detail.cgi?A_2002-C-0268.html
  For a list of Gynecologic Oncology Group institutions, please visit: https://webreg.gogstats.org/Members/

Next steps:
Individuals who wish to be considered for participation in one of these studies may contact the cancer genetics referral nurse, Stephanie Steinbart, at 1 (800) 518-8474.

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