Purpose: Advancing genetic knowledge for oncology nurses is especially important in Korea because physicians have launched to incorporate genetic risk assessment and genetic testing into their practice. The purpose of this paper was to identify the effect of the first academic cancer genetic risk assessment and counseling course for Korean nurses. Methods: Thirty-five nurses were recruited and educated from June 8 to 14, 2006 in Seoul, Korea. Two measurement tools were used: 'knowledge about

more »

... hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC)' and 'knowledge about the cancer genetics'. Results: Students' score of knowledge about HBOC at pre-education was 12.22±2.23, and after education, it increased to 13.62± 1.76. This change was statistically significant (t=-3.253, p=.003). The score of knowledge about cancer genetics at pre-education was 11.31±3.44, and after education it has increased to 16.17±1.94. It also was statistically significant (t=-6.92, p=.000). Conclusion: This program was effective to be a starting point for establishing genetic educational planning for the oncology nurses in Korea. This academically-based course is recognized as valuable by oncology nurses. With this new knowledge, nurses can begin to expand their role in delivering comprehensive cancer care services in Korea. 되는 유전자의 기원에 따라 크게 산발성 종양(sporadic cancer), 가족성 종양(familial cancer), 유전성 종양(hereditary cancer)으로 나눌 수 있다. 3) 이 중 유전성 종양은 최근 유전학의 발 달로 인하여 유전성 종양의 원인이 되는 유전자들이 많이 밝혀 지고, 이에 따라 이러한 종양의 예방, 선별검사 및 치료 등 모든 임상의 분야에 적극적으로 적용되기 시작했다. 3) 유전성 종양은 전체 종양의 약 5-10%를 차지하며, 대표적으 로 유방암, 난소암, 자궁내막암, 대장암, 흑색종, 갑상선암, 신 장암, 망막모세포종(retinoblastoma) 등의 종양이 관련이 있다 고 알려져 있다. 4) 이 중 유방암, 난소암은 부인암의 대표적인 유 전성 종양으로, BRCA1과 BRCA2가 유전자의 돌연변이와 관련 된 유전적 요인으로 유방암의 가장 강력한 위험인자로 알려지 면서 4) 미국을 비롯한 선진국에서는 1996년 유전성 유방난소 돌