Genetic susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancer: risk assessment, genetic counseling, and management issues.

Genetic testing for disease susceptibility genes is available for a large number of genetic disorders. With the expected shortage of trained genetic professionals to offer risk assessment, counseling, testing, and management to patients, primary care physicians will be asked to provide these services. In this review, we discuss the genetic basis of breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility and outline specific recommendations for clinical practice.