Rsk Counseling for Relatives of Cancer Patients

Abstract

Relatives of cancer patients often have a special need for information regarding their risk of developing cancer as well as information about the social "risks" or consequences of a cancer diagnosis in the family. Cancer risk analysis provides this information by making use of information from the fields of genetics, epidemiology, sociology, psychology, and medicine. In cancer risk analysis, relatives of cancer patients are provided with information to help them understand the biological aspects of cancer as well as the factors that can influence their risk of developing cancer. Information also is provided on the reactions of individuals and families to cancer. This article discusses the various aspects of cancer risk analysis and describes the breast cancer risk analysis service provided by Children's Hospital of San Francisco.