Genetic counseling about cancer in Peru

Abstract

Cancer is a genetic disease caused by changes in the DNA sequence or expression. Based on the origin of these changes, cancer can be classified as sporadic, and hereditary or familial. Based on the cancer records in Peru, it is expected that 5 to 30% of all patients with cancer, i.e. about 2,000 to 12,000 people, have hereditary cancer, meaning that a similar number of families have a higher risk of developing cancer compared to the general population. Therefore, the purpose of genetic counseling is to identify hereditary cancers running in the family in order to prevent diseases and deaths caused by this condition. It is a strategy that allows us to detect and diagnose these types of cancer very early. For this reason, the National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases of Peru has been providing genetic diagnosis and counseling services for five years, and represents an important element in the fight against cancer. However, in order to have a greater impact on health, it is necessary to expand and strengthen the training process in genetics and genetic counseling to health care professionals, particularly to physicians and nurses.