Routine cancer susceptibility testing will soon be feasible in clinical practice. However, to date, this new technology has entailed many limitations, including potential adverse psychosocial consequences. Empirical studies examining these psychosocial aspects are strikingly scarce, especially in continental European countries. Are we prepared for managing the psychosocial problems that emerge from widespread introduction of this practice? Current research do not take into account cross-cultural variations in attitudes and reactions towards genetic testing. This paper points to the urgent need for obtaining a more accurate picture on the psychosocial aspects of breast cancer gene testing and disclosure in order to design recommendations for implementation in populations with highly variable cultural and legal background.

About 200 million people worldwide are affected by osteoporosis 11 with a higher prevalence in women than men; the prevalence of osteoporosis increases progressively with age in post-menopausal period (5% in the fifth decade versus 50% in the eighth decade). 12According to the WHO, 13 osteoporosis affects more ABSTRACTOsteoporosis is the most common bone disease and is an important problem of public health. In fact, it represents the main cause of age-related fractures and disabilities with a consequent increasing sanitary, social and economic impact. Unfortunately, often osteoporosis is not as thoroughly investigated as it would be desirable and it is underestimated in diagnosis and therapy. The aim of this monograph is to sensitize medical internists to a careful evaluation and an efficacious treatment of osteoporosis in order to reduce the risks of this disease, in particular the fractures, with a view to improving the quality of patients' life.