The directory was originally developed by the National Cancer Genetics Education Group in 2002 and hosted by the National Cancer Control Initiative.

It was designed to provide centralised access for the public and health professionals to information and resources about cancer genetics, genetic testing and familial cancer.

To build the directory, group members worked with other experts in the field to identify up-to-date resources and websites with information relevant to cancer genetics and/or familial cancer.

Resources were segregated into four categories:

• cancer genetics
• breast/ovarian cancer
• colorectal cancer
• rare familial cancer syndromes

Authors and organisations were contact for detailed information and each resource was reviewed prior to inclusion.