Investigation of a family suspected of being at high risk for cancer.
The investigation of the family of a patient with bilateral breast cancer is described. By means of interviews and the checking of hospital records and death certificates, information was obtained on 199 family members over five generations, 19 of whom had cancer. Comparison with expected numbers of cases showed an excess in only one generation. The interpretation of these findings and the advice given to family members are discussed.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D002430:Cecal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D010375:Pedigree; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D012306:Risk; D012737:Sex Factors; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology