The role of genetics in cancer risk

While cancer itself is not directly inherited, the genes passed down from your parents can influence your likelihood of developing certain cancers. In some families, cancer appears to be more common due to shared risk factors, such as lifestyle choices like smoking or alcohol consumption, or environmental influences, like exposure to pollutants. In addition, genetic mutations in specific cancer-related genes can raise the risk of cancer, leading to hereditary cancer syndromes, often referred to as family cancer syndromes.

If you’ve inherited a genetic mutation linked to cancer, this doesn’t guarantee you will develop the disease. However, it does increase the risk. Understanding this can allow you, and potentially your relatives, to make more informed health decisions. This knowledge provides valuable insights into managing and reducing cancer risks effectively.

Each cell in your body contains your genes, which serve as a set of instructions for cellular functions. Genes are segments of your DNA, responsible for regulating cell growth, division, and lifespan. Cancer occurs when these instructions are altered, causing abnormal cell growth. This change can happen randomly during cell division, be triggered by environmental factors, or be inherited from your parents. While genetic changes caused by external factors cannot be passed down, those present in a parent’s egg or sperm cells can be inherited, and up to 10% of cancers may result from such inherited mutations. This is why cancer often seems to run in families.

Hereditary cancer syndromes are caused by inherited gene mutations, increasing the likelihood of developing cancers associated with those specific genetic changes. Those with hereditary cancer syndromes may also face other health complications unrelated to cancer.

Various genetic mutations and syndromes increase cancer risk, but two of the most common include Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome and Lynch Syndrome. The first is linked to a heightened risk of breast and ovarian cancer, often developing earlier than average. Men with this syndrome are at a higher risk of breast cancer as well as cancers such as prostate, melanoma, and pancreatic cancer. This syndrome is commonly associated with mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes but can also involve mutations in other genes like TP53, PTEN, CDH1, ATM, CHEK2, or PALB2.

Lynch Syndrome, the most common inherited syndrome related to colon cancer, often leads to colorectal cancer before the age of 50. Those with this syndrome also face an elevated risk of developing cancers in other areas, such as the stomach, liver, kidneys, brain, and skin. Mutations in genes responsible for DNA repair cause this syndrome, preventing the body from fixing errors in copied DNA, which normally helps to protect against cancer.

Genetic testing, provided by OHC’s genetics team, can detect inherited mutations that may increase the risk of developing certain cancers. Though most people don’t require genetic testing, it may be advised for those with a personal or family history of specific cancers. Testing might be recommended if you have several immediate family members with cancer, many relatives on one side of the family with the same or related types of cancer, or a known hereditary cancer syndrome in your family. Genetic testing can offer valuable insight into potential risks and guide decisions on proactive health management.

While cancer itself is not inherited, genetic mutations passed down from your parents can significantly influence your cancer risk. Understanding these risks allows for better planning and prevention strategies for both yourself and your family.

EDX Medical Group Plc (AQSE:EDX) is a global specialist in digital clinical diagnostics; developing and supporting high-performance products and services to provide cost-effective prediction of disease risk, inform clinical decision-making, enable personalised healthcare and accelerate the development of new medicines for cancer, neurology, heart disease and infectious diseases.

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