摘要: A number of relatively rare, high-risk genes have been identified which predispose to common cancers such as breast, colon, and melanoma. Although these are clearly important in the clinical setting, it is also relevant discuss impact at population level contrast with that could be ascribed more genetic variants only confer a modest increased risk cancer. In this review, we examine inferences about role genetics cancer from ecological studies incidence patterns population-based familial attributable risk. The relationship between model (genotypic risk, allele frequency, mode inheritance) expected terms both presented. advantages limitations using occurrence twins measure contribution specific sites discussed. potential lower-penetrance overall burden may significant but pose problems public health arena.