Population aspects of cancer genetics

Biochimie
David Goldgar

Abstract

A number of relatively rare, high-risk genes have been identified which predispose to common cancers such as breast, colon, and melanoma. Although these are clearly important in the clinical setting, it is also relevant to discuss the impact of these genes at the population level and to contrast these with that which could be ascribed to more common genetic variants which only confer a modest increased risk of cancer. In this review, we examine inferences about the role of genetics in cancer from ecological studies of incidence patterns from a number of population-based studies of familial and attributable risk. The relationship between the genetic model (genotypic risk, allele frequency, mode of inheritance) and the expected impact in the population in terms of both attributable risk and familial risk is presented. The advantages and limitations of using cancer occurrence in twins to measure the genetic contribution to specific cancer sites is discussed. The potential role of lower-penetrance genes in the overall cancer burden may be significant but may pose significant problems in the public health arena.

References

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Citations

Jan 28, 2004·Cancer Letters·Evgeny N ImyanitovKaido P Hanson
Dec 21, 2005·The Journal of Experimental Medicine·Alexandre AlcaïsJean-Laurent Casanova
Jan 3, 2012·Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology·Tobias Else
Dec 21, 2004·International Journal of Cancer. Journal International Du Cancer·Tokuki SakiyamaJun Yokota
Aug 1, 2006·Lung Cancer : Journal of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·Sun Ha ParkJae Yong Park
Sep 4, 2012·Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP·Tayebeh SabokbarReza Shirkoohi
Jul 15, 2009·Circulation·Nina ØyenMads Melbye
May 12, 2006·Human Molecular Genetics·Jae Yong ParkTae Hoon Jung
Feb 20, 2004·Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology·Asha R KallianpurMarshall L Summar

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