The potential use of tumor registry data in the recognition and prevention of hereditary and familial cancer.

The adequate collection and judicious use of family history data from cancer patients could aid in research studies, timely management of patients, and, potentially, eventual prevention of many forms of hereditary and familial cancer. The tumor registries of all 76 acute care nonpsychiatric hospitals in New York City were surveyed to determine if they contained data on family history of cancer. Only four of the 64 reporting hospitals recorded any of this information, and such information was not required by any accrediting agency. We cite examples of the use of tumor registry data, mainly from other countries, to locate families at risk for hereditary cancer. The addition of standardized questions about family history of cancer to tumor abstract forms is proposed, along with a linkage of tumor registry data with the services of the hospital genetics unit.