Genetic cancer risk assessment.
OBJECTIVE
To describe critical elements of cancer risk assessment as identified through professional standards.


METHODS
Professional guidelines, policy statements, and other published literature.


CONCLUSIONS
The continually increasing integration of genetics/genomics into oncology care mandates that oncology nurses be familiar with the cancer risk assessment process, complexities, and implications for personalized risk reduction and early detection recommendations and for cancer treatment, including targeted therapies.


CONCLUSIONS
Informed nurses can identify genetic cancer risk factors, educate patients about cancer risk and risk management/treatment strategies, and refer appropriate patients to a cancer genetics nurse or other genetics professional for comprehensive risk assessment.
ITA Partners, Philadelphia, PA, USA. llaws@itapartners.com
Lisa
L
Aiello-Laws
D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000451:nursing; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment