Cancer

When a case of cancer appears in a family, the first questions to arise are whether or not other family members at risk are and will the condition reappear.

Cancer can be inherited, but isn’t always such. How do we know this? We can find the answer to this question by following the parameters below:

1. Number of cases within the family. The higher the number the more probable chance that it is inherited
2. The time at which cancer appears. If the cancer appears earlier in life than in the average population (breast cancer at 35 as an example) then there is a high chance of it being inherited.
3. The number of primary tumors. If there is a large amount of primary tumors in a patients, then the chance of the condition being inherited is also high (primary tumor in both breasts as an example)

If based on the parameters above you suspect that you are at risk then you should consult an expert, who will determine your risk and develop a preventative strategy. An early diagnosis is a life saver in the case of cancer.

An inherited form should be taken into consideration if there is lots of cases in the family as well is if the following parameters are met:

1. Early appearance of cancer, usually before the age of 50
2. Primary tumors in both breasts/ovaries
3. Brest cancer in males
4. Two or more people affected
5. Ovarian cancer in a close relative

A positive familiar finding suggested that the person most likely carries the mutation needed for the disease to arise and is such is at a high level of risk.

For ovarian/breast cancer there are at least 20 genes which can cause this conditions. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the two mostly commonly associated with these cancers. Females with a mutated BRCA 1 gene have an 80% higher chance of getting breast cancer than females without this mutation. A mutation of the BRCA 2 genes increases the chance for breast cancer by 45%.

What if the results of genetic tests show that you carry a mutation? Is there a way to prevent this condition from arising?

Regular preventative checkups with medical professionals are needed. Also breast and ovarian removal may be considered in patients with extremely high risk levels.

Genetic research in lungs cancer is still in its infancy. But one thing is for sure and that is that if you have multiple relatives with lungs cancer, appropriate counseling should be a priority. About 20 genes are so far known to be behind lung cancer. The p53 gene is most commonly the one found. Smokers with mutations in the p53 gene have a 50% chance of being diagnosed with lung cancer. What should you do if you are in a risk group? You should firstly quit smoking. Secondly you should consult your physician about possible imaging and preventative diagnostic measures. Caution should be taken with some diagnostic methods due to radiation exposure (chest X-ray, CT and so on).

You may have a higher risk of developing colon cancer if some of the following facts are true:

1. Two or more relatives from the same side of the family(mother’s or father’s side) are affected
2. You have a relative who was diagnosed with the condition at a young age, usually before 50
3. You have a relative with 10 or more benign polyps
4. A relative of yours is diagnosed with either colon or endometrial cancer

If anyone of the above mentioned facts is true then it is highly likely that you carry a genetic predisposition for colon cancer

The first question to usually arise is: „What is my likelihood of being diagnosed?” Generally speaking when there is a predisposition for colon cancer, you may have a 5-6% of being diagnosed. However this is not always the case and personal characteristics should be taken into consideration. For example, people with a mutation in the MLH1 and MSH2 gene have a 50-60% of being diagnosed with colon cancer.

The second question which is most commonly asked is: “What to do if I carry a dangerous mutation.”

If you happen to be a carrier of a dangerous mutation which predisposes you for this type of cancer, then it should be of up most importance for you to contact your physician and schedule regular colonoscopies in order to prevent a potential metastasis.

You may have an inherited risk of pancreatic cancer if some of the following is true:

1. In your family there are 2 or more cases of pancreatic cancer, before the age of 50, from one side of the family(mother’s or father’s)
2. You have a relative who is diagnosed with a highly aggressive form of pancreatic cancer
3. Cases of pancreatic cancer are usually linked with other cancers such as: breast, colon, ovarian and prostate cancer

There are about 12 genes which are most commonly associated with pancreatic cancer. If one of these mutations is found, then the person carrying them has a 3 to 10 time’s higher chance of getting pancreatic cancer

What to do if the test results for mutations in one of these genes come back positive? Is there any form of prevention?

Unfortunately early diagnosis and prevention of pancreatic cancer is currently difficult. But regular ultrasounds can help discover the tumor early as well as certain tumor markers found in the blood.

You may have an inherited risk of prostate cancer if some of the following is true:

1. In your family there are 2 or more cases of prostate cancer, before the age of 50, from one side of the family(mother’s or father’s)
2. You have a relative who is diagnosed with a highly aggressive form of prostate cancer

There are about 7 genes which are most commonly associated with pancreatic cancer.

What to do if the test results for mutations in one of these genes come back positive? Is there any form of prevention?

Likely there is a form of early diagnosis and prevention. The method in question is regular screenings. Screening should be done 10 years before the appearance of earliest case of prostate cancer within the family. What does this mean? If your cousin was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 40, then you should start screening yourself when you turn 30. Also there are tumor markers which can be found in the blood stream and can be used in conjunction with early screening.