ALL IN THE FAMILY

The Los Angeles Times is to be commended for the excellent article “All in the Family” (by Marlene Cimons). The identification of a strong familial risk is a vital and significantly important step in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. All persons, not just cancer patients, should make their physicians aware of their family history. This is particularly important when there are two or three cancer diagnoses in the same family. Studies of familial disease may lead one day to important new discoveries regarding the genetic link in cancer and other diseases.

CHARLES WISEMAN

ROBERT J. MCKENNA

ELLEN KNELL

LOS ANGELES ONCOLOGIC INSTITUTE