Applications of genetic technologies to cancer screening, prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To help oncology nurses to appreciate genetic contributions to carcinogenesis; to learn how genetic changes are connected to biological mechanisms underlying cancer initiation, promotion, and progression; and to become familiar with new genetic technologies being incorporated into clinical oncology practice.


METHODS
Review of published professional journals and oncology textbooks.


CONCLUSIONS
Molecular genetic approaches with high sensitivity and specificity offer new hope for the improved evaluation of potential carcinogens, cancer prevention, early and accurate diagnosis, more reliable prognosis, and effective treatment and monitoring of cancer. Effective translation of molecular technologies will require development of improved methods, clinical validation studies, high-quality control, multisite clinical outcome studies, and development of multidisciplinary collaborations.


CONCLUSIONS
Oncology nurses are incorporating new genetic technologies into the following areas of practice: patient education, cancer prevention and control, diagnostic and prognostic testing, and treatment.
Peters
J A
JA
Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1852, USA.
D003043:Cocarcinogenesis; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D008967:Molecular Biology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity