It’s All in Your Genes: What Primary Care Should Know About Hereditary Cancer Syndromes

Abstract

Primary care physicians are usually the first point of contact for patients with hereditary cancer syndromes. Though hereditary cancer syndromes are rare, accounting for roughly 5-10 percent of all cancers, a timely diagnosis is important, as not only do patients require long-term care from a young age, but their relatives also require management. In the past decades, enormous strides have been made to unravel the genetic basis of cancer, and this knowledge has been used to develop targeted treatments for hereditary forms of cancer. Germline genetic testing for patients and their families with suspected hereditary cancer syndromes is therefore a vital component of the practice of preventative oncology and must become routine clinical care. Here, we discuss the most common hereditary cancer syndromes and provide necessary information for primary care physicians regarding management of patients with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome and Lynch syndrome. We also highlight the importance of genetic testing, as well as barriers to testing globally and nationally. Addressing these barriers will bring us one step closer to implementing precision medicine in Singapore.