The aims of the kConFab study are to identify families with genetic predisposition to breast/ovarian cancer. This has not been studied on a national level before.

• Identify the predisposing genes in these families and characterise germ-line mutations.
• Determine whether the type of mutation influences the type of cancer, the age at which cancer occurs or its severity.
• Determine what lifestyle and environmental factors influence the risk of developing cancer in people who inherit these mutations and which of these factors delay or accelerate the onset of cancer.
• Obtain and store clinical samples for later use in research projects.
• Establish a system to gather ongoing clinical data from affected and unaffected cases.
• Place all of this data in a relational database that will be accessible for ethically approved basic and clinical projects.