title: Genetics as a tool to improve cancer outcomes: ethics and policy.
abstract: Genetic research is rapidly increasing the opportunities for the detection of inherited cancer risk. Clinicians and policy makers must ensure the adequate evaluation of the benefits and harms of this new area of practice, address the challenges of family-based detection of individuals at risk and develop practice guidelines and educational strategies that are responsive to rapidly changing knowledge. When the benefits of testing are well established, efforts must also be made to ensure access to genetic services for all who can benefit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical History and Ethics, University of Washington, BOX 357120, 1959 North East Pacific, Room A204, Seattle, Washington 98195-7120, USA. wburke@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Wylie
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Press
mesh_terms: D001675:Bioethics; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D036281:Genetic Research / Q000941:ethics*; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000941:ethics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D011640:Public Policy; D016896:Treatment Outcome