Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions useful for assessing the length of telomeres. The disclosed methods and compositions are amenable to performance as a high-throughput method to assess telomere length (TL) and TL constitution using genomic DNA. Also provided are methods for diagnosing a telomere-related condition or disease in a subject, assessing general health and/or aging of a subject, establishing a relationship between telomere constitution and cancer and/or aging-related disease, assessing exposure to harmful substances and/or stresses of a subject, assessing response to a drug or drugs treatment of a subject, assessing disease risk of a subject, and assessing clinical outcome of a subject who is suffering from a disease/diseases. The methods are useful in studies of individuals and populations.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to assessing the risk of cancer, such as breast cancer, lung cancer and bladder cancer, through analyzing the length of telomeres, such as chromosome 9p, 15p, and/or Xp telomere, such as the short arm of the 9p, 15p, and/or Xp telomere.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods related to assessing the risk of cancer, such as breast cancer, through analyzing the length of telomeres, such as chromosome 9p telomere, such as the short arm of the 9p telomere. If the 9p arm is shorter than normal, the risk of cancer is increased.