Chemopreventive drug treatment in subjects with genetic predisposition to cancer: prescriber liability and healthcare disparities.
Advancements in pharmacogenomics and chemoprevention promise to reduce cancer incidence and mortality, but utilization will undoubtedly be accompanied with ethical and legal issues that largely remain unexplored or discussed. As pharmacogenomic information is assessed more comprehensively and inexpensively, it will influence decisions regarding when and to whom chemoprevention therapy will be initiated. Pharmacogenomics will change the manner in which the liability system will perceive and analyse risks. Management of the risks related to chemopreventive treatment will differ from traditional disease management. Knowledge about cancer susceptibility will need to consider environmental factors as they relate to healthcare disparities.
Palmer
Larry I
LI
Institute for Bioethics, Health Policy and Law, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
Martin
Robert C G
RC
Hein
David W
DW
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019683:Penetrance
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents