In the news

The National Cancer plan, published on 27 September, contains a short section on cancer genetics (pages 89-91 of the report). This section of the report stresses the considerable uncertainties surrounding the impact of genetics on cancer prediction and prevention; it does, however, suggest that genetic testing will be used in the future to "determine the probability of an individual developing cancer and will facilitate the introduction of lifestyle modification programmes aimed at lowering the risk to reduce the incidence or prevent the disease". Genetic testing for susceptibility to common cancers will, the report predicts, require high-throughput, low-cost screening techniques, though it is not clear whether these will be centralised or locally undetaken. As a general framework for the development of cancer genetics services, the report endorses the 1996 Harper report (now available on-line from the PHGU website), which recommended a model in tune with the overall recommendations of the 1995 Calman-Hine report on cancer services. In a section on "New initiatives for cancer genetics services" the National Cancer Plan describes the setting up of a partnership between the Department of Health and Macmillan Cancer Relief, with the aim of helping primary care teams to assess the genetic risk of patients presenting with a family history of cancer. This partnership will also set up and evaluate counselling services, "working within cancer networks with links to regional genetic services", for people identified as being at moderate or high risk. The National Screening Committee will take responsibility for evaluating any proposed population genetic screening programmes for cancer predisposition. In the area of pharmacogenetics, the Department of Health will, together with other funders of cancer research, support continuing research on the inherited and somatic genetic basis of individual responses to cancer drug therapy.