title: Partnering in oncogenetic research--the INHERIT BRCAs experience: opportunities and challenges.
abstract: Today it is common to conduct research in collaboration with colleagues from different disciplines and institutions. The INterdisciplinary HEalth Research International Team on BReast CAncer susceptibility (INHERIT BRCAs), involves Canadian and international experts from diverse fields working with health service providers, patients and collaborators from the World Health Organization and other European networks. Evidence-based information and knowledge transfer drive our efforts to advance genomic research to understand the genetic basis of cancer susceptibility and treatment response. Several goals reveal the interdisciplinary team approach: (a) to estimate the prevalence and penetrance of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations and their deleterious impact upon different populations; (b) to pinpoint novel breast cancer susceptibility loci; (c) to assess the efficacy of clinical interventions; (d) to address changes in quality of life and health-related behaviour from the decision to undergo genetics testing and during follow-up; (e) to evaluate legal, social and ethical implications; and, finally; (f) to promote professional and public education by facilitating the transfer of research findings to clinical practice and informing policy makers. The lessons learned by the INHERIT research team and future challenges are presented.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche en Droit Public, Faculty of Law, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada. denise.avard@umontreal.ca
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Avard
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bridge
authors.forename: Lucie M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Bucci
authors.forename: Jocelyne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chiquette
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dorval
authors.forename: Francine
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Durocher
authors.forename: Doug
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Easton
authors.forename: Béatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Godard
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goldgar
authors.forename: Bartha Maria
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Knoppers
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Laframboise
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lespérance
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Plante
authors.forename: Sean V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Tavtigian
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vézina
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Simard
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D036281:Genetic Research; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009386:Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment