Abstract
Introduction. The concept of hereditary cancer is one of the most important achievements in modern oncology. It has major scientific implications as well as high practical value in surveillance, prevention and adjustment of treatment for hereditary and familial malignancies. Identification of the persons-at-risk allows recommending a follow-up schedule for timely diagnostics of the corresponding cancers. Aim of the Study is to evaluate the need for hereditary cancer surveillance program in Latvia and to adjust the surveillance schedule by population screening data. Materials and methods. The study was performed as population screening in the Valka district, evaluating the family cancer history of 18642 respondents. Hereditary cancers were diagnosed by internationally accepted clinical criteria. Descriptive statistical analysis was carried out by CIA software. Results. There were 885 persons, fulfilling the clinical diagnostic criteria of hereditary and familial cancer syndromes. The full spectrum of hereditary malignancies was identified thus indirectly characterising the familial background of oncological diseases in the local population. The cancer burden among blood relatives was high for all syndromes, exceeding 8.6%. The mean age of cancer diagnostics was significantly different among the syndromes, ranging 38.0-72.0 years. Conclusions. The presence of familial background in all most frequent cancer locations and the high cancer burden in the affected kindreds justify the need for familial cancer surveillance. The data about the age of cancer manifestation can be used to adjust the follow-up schedule for most syndromes. Specific recommendations are elaborated and described in the article.