Abstract
Knowledge of host factors in cancer etiology could be used to advantage by practicing physicians. Examples reviewed in this paper pertain to familial cancers of the colon, breast, skin, as well as malignant neoplasms in somatosexual disorders. Differential diagnosis for certain of these lesions is given with particular implications for early cancer recognition in susceptible patients. A plea is made to capitalize upon the cancer control potential found in cancer-prone families through the compilation of a National Registry of Familial cancer which would be serviced by a system of satelite registries based upon population and geographic considerations. This Registry would be able to service all physicians caring for members of cancer-prone families enrolled in the Registry. Certain of these families may be exceedingly large and it would seem a pity not to utilize to the maximum a bountiful information about cancer risk which may have been gathered as part of a medical, genetic investigation of the particular kindred. Indeed, a cancer prevention model is proposed which would act in concert with the mentioned Registry.