More than two decades ago a major milestone in cancer research was reached with the discovery of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Inherited mutations to these genes can dramatically increase the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers. The discovery opened up new ways of knowing who is at risk of cancer, how to treat the cancer, and even how to prevent it happening in the first place. This moving feature describes what this genetic information means for families who have seen loved ones endure sometimes multiple cancers—and it explains the emerging frontier in medicine trying to change that.

Guests:

Michelle Brady

Anna Murphy

Dr Mark Pinese, Team Leader Personalised Medicine, Children’s Cancer Institute

A/Prof Paul James, Clinical Geneticist and Director, Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital

Dr Laura Forrest, Senior Research Fellow and Genetic Counsellor, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Host: Dr Norman Swan

Interviewer and Producer: Sarah Sedghi