Data dodania: 25-04-22
Everyone knows someone who has had cancer. It’s a frightening disease that can strike anyone at any age. However, there are some people who are more likely to develop cancer than others. If you have a family member with cancer or another known risk factor for the disease, you may wonder if you’re also at risk. In this article, we’ll explore what we know about the link between genetics and cancer, as well as how the threat of developing cancer differs among different people based on their specific family history.
What is the genetic risk?
Genetic risk refers to the likelihood that you will develop a specific disease. When you hear about genetics and cancer, you might think that you can predict with certainty that you will get the disease. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Because we all start with different genes, we aren’t all equally likely to get any given disease. Cancer is an extremely complicated disease that’s influenced by a variety of different factors. There’s no single gene that can predict your risk of getting any type of cancer. Instead, researchers are trying to find out which factors are most likely to increase risk. The more of these factors you have, the more likely you are to develop cancer.
How do you know if you’re at risk?
You can’t predict the future, so it’s impossible to know with 100% certainty if you will get cancer. However, certain factors can increase your risk, and some of those factors are genetic. If you have a family history of certain cancers, you’re more likely to get those diseases as well. If you have a family member with a type of cancer that you want to avoid, it’s important to learn about your risk factors for that disease. Depending on your age and gender, you may be at higher or lower risk than your family member was at the same age. If you know what factors make you more likely to develop cancer, you can take steps to lower your risk.
Breast cancer and genetics
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. According to one study, about 11% of women with breast cancer have a family history of the disease. A family history of breast cancer is the strongest predictor of the disease among women, and having a family member with breast cancer makes you significantly more likely to develop the disease yourself. However, only a small percentage of women with a family history of breast cancer will likely get the disease.
A large-scale study found that women who have mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Women who have these mutated genes have as much as an 80% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. Because BRCA mutations are so strongly linked to breast cancer risk, doctors often recommend regular screenings for women with a family history of the disease.
Colon and rectal cancers and genetics
Colon and rectal cancers are some of the most common forms of cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), they’re also the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. About 40% of people with a family history of colorectal cancer will eventually develop the disease themselves. However, the risk isn’t 100% for everyone.
Two main genes are strongly linked to colon and rectal cancer. They are known as the APC and the MUTYH genes. Mutations in these genes are the most common genetic cause of colorectal cancer. How likely you are to develop cancer as a result of these mutations varies widely. Some people are diagnosed with cancer as early as their 20s and 30s, while others never develop the disease.
Prostate cancer and genetics
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men worldwide. According to one study, about 11% of men with prostate cancer have a family history of the disease. A family history of prostate cancer is the strongest predictor of the disease among men, and having a family member with prostate cancer makes you significantly more likely to develop the disease yourself. However, only a small percentage of men with a family history of prostate cancer will end up getting the disease.
Research has found that mutations in the BRCA2 gene are the strongest predictor of prostate cancer among men. Men who carry BRCA2 mutations have a significantly higher risk of developing the disease. According to this study, men who have BRCA2 mutations have a 33% risk of developing prostate cancer. Like with breast cancer, doctors recommend regular prostate screenings for men with a family history of prostate cancer.
