Much fanfare surrounds the announcement of each newly discovered cancer gene, such as the recently isolated gene responsible for hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer. As has happened after the discovery of other genes, a blood test for detecting this gene is being developed and should be available soon. Such discoveries help you because they
•can identify which of your relatives carries the gene that puts them at higher risk (relatives with the cancer gene could consider participation in a trial of preventive medicines and measures and could pursue the aggressive screening recommended for those at high risk)
•can identify which of your relatives do not carry the gene, and who are at normal risk for the development of that type of cancer (this will spare many people aggressive screening for and anxiety about a high risk that they do not have)
•contribute to our general understanding of cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment
•define populations with high risk that could, by participating in trials, accelerate the discovery of effective preventive medicines and measures for this type of cancer.
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