Abstract
Advances in surgical techniques, knowledge about chemoprevention and the growing evidence of a survival benefit mean that for individuals at high risk of hereditary cancer there are a growing number of medical and surgical options available for reducing cancer risk. However, significant psychological and physical morbidity is associated with both chemoprevention and surgery and it is essential that the health benefits of riskreducing surgery and other measures outweigh the longterm health and quality of life costs. A multidisciplinary approach, including health professionals in cancer care, psychology and genetics, is vital to informed decisionmaking for individuals at high risk who are considering these measures.