Resources on genetic testing and cancer
Provide info to dispel public’s misconceptions
Ideally, information on genetics, genetic testing, and genetic cancers should be available to patients in a variety of ways, says Michael Green, MD, assistant professor, department of humanities and medicine at The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center at Penn State University in Hershey, PA. Information can be obtained from brochures, video tapes, and interactive computer programs, he adds.
"People can ask more intelligent, pointed questions when they see a genetics counselor or speak with their physician if they have some background information," says Green. That’s why he developed an interactive CD-ROM for women who are at higher risk for breast cancer due to family history. Using the CD-ROM called Counseling by Computer: Breast Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing, patients can learn about breast cancer, genetics, genetic testing, and its risks and benefits. It soon will be commercially available.
Following is a list of resources you can use to provide a variety of educational opportunities for patients and family members concerned with genetic cancers and genetic testing:
• CD-ROM.
Counseling by Computer: Breast Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing. Cost of CD and release date were not available by press deadline. For more information, contact: Michael Green, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities and Medicine, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State University, P.O. Box 850, Hershey, PA 17033. Telephone: (717) 531-8778. Fax: (717) 531-3894. E-mail: [email protected].
• Pamphlets.
Genetic Counseling, Valuable Information for You and Your Family. Available in Spanish and English at a cost of 45 cents each for one to 99 pamphlets ordered with $5 shipping and handling. Quantities of 100 or more pamphlets cost 35 cents each with a charge of $8 for shipping and handling. Contact: National Society of Genetic Counselors, 233 Canterbury Drive, Wallingford, PA 19086. Voice mail: (610) 872-7608, mailbox 7.
Cancer Risk Counselors. This pamphlet provides a list of genetics counselors throughout the nation who specialize in cancer and can be used by patient education managers to develop resource lists for patients. Contact: National Society of Genetic Counselors at above address.
• Web sites.
American Cancer Society. World Wide Web: http://www.cancer.org. This organization provides information about the different types of genetic cancer as well as genetic testing on its Web site. Address: 1559 Clifton Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329. Telephone: (800) ACS-2345 or (404) 320-3333.
National Cancer Institute: Patients and Genetics. World Wide Web: http://wwwicic.nci.nih.gov/p_genetics.html. Contains NCI statements regarding detection, prevention, genetics, and cancer. Address: National Cancer Institute, Building 31, Room 10A24, Bethesda, MD 20892. Telephone: (800) 422-6237.
OncorMed. World Wide Web: http://www.oncormed.com/omed2/wel come.htm. This site describes genetic cancers and provides relevant article links and a list of services. Address: Oncormed, Inc. 205 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Telephone: (800) 498-4259. Fax: (301) 926-6329.
The University of Pennsylvania: Oncolink: Genetics and Cancer, http://oncol ink.upenn.edu/causeprevent/genetics/. Links to current news, upcoming conferences, and National Cancer Institute resources. Address: OncoLink Editorial Office, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, 3400 Spruce St.-2 Donner, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283. Telephone: (215) 662-7147.
University of Kansas Medical Center: Genetics Education Center. World Wide Web: http://www.kumc.edu/instruction/medicine/genetics/homepage.html. Links to Human Genome Project and education resources such as privacy and policy. Address: 1525 Louisiana St., Lawrence, KS 66044-4129. Telephone: (913) 864-2700.
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