Genetics in cancer prediction, screening, and counseling: Part II, The nurse's role in genetic counseling.
OBJECTIVE
To describe an expanded role for oncology nurses in genetic counseling for cancer.


METHODS
Published professional articles, computerized data bases, lay publications.


RESULTS
A description of the availability of genetic counseling, of motivation for undergoing genetic counseling, and of the basic components of genetic counseling for cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
The need for genetic counseling will increase as more families with inherited cancer are identified, more cancer genes are isolated, and genetic analysis becomes more available.


CONCLUSIONS
Advances in genetic technology provide nurses with the opportunity for an expanded role in genetic counseling for cancer. Oncology nurses also can act as case finders of families with inherited cancers and conduct research in this area.
Loescher
L J
LJ
University of Arizona, Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, USA.
D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D011379:Prognosis