As the leading organization of physicians who treat people with cancer, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recognizes that cancer specialists must be fully informed of the range of issues involved in genetic testing for cancer risk. The newly discovered and still developing ability to identify individuals at highest risk for cancer holds the promise of improved prevention and early detection of cancers. It also poses potential medical, psychological, and other personal risks that must be addressed in the context of informed consent for genetic testing. ASCO firmly believes that any physician who offers genetic testing should be aware of, and able to communicate, the benefits and limits of current testing procedures, and the range of prevention and treatment options available to patients and their families. For these reasons, ASCO endorses the following principles: ASCO affirms the role of clinical oncologists in documenting a family history of cancer in their patients, providing counseling r...