Tuesday 06 February 2024
Susan Long – ΠΗΜ½Βι¶Ή's
If someone in your family has cancer, you may wonder if you are at risk of developing it yourself, or passing it on to your children.
This page has information about cancer in families and how ΠΗΜ½Βι¶Ή can help.
When members of the same family have cancer it can be because of:
For a few families, there can be a strong family history of cancer.
When doctors look at the possibility of a genetic cancer gene in your family, they consider a number of things:
You may be referred for genetic testing if you have a strong family history of cancer, or a hereditary cancer gene has been found in another close blood relative.
If you're worried about your genetic cancer risk, talk to your GP.
Genetic testing looks for inherited faulty genes that may go on to develop certain types of cancer.
If you've been referred for genetic testing by your GP, you will see a specialist genetic doctor or counsellor who will look through your family history and assess your risk.
They will also discuss the positives and negatives of having genetic testing done.
They may then recommend a blood test from you and other family members.
Genetic testing can cause a range of emotions before and after you get the results.
Making a decision about whether to have a test or not can be difficult and you and your family may have different opinions.
If results reveal you have a faulty gene, you may need time to absorb the information and wonder what to expect in the future.
If your results are negative, you might feel mixed emotions – relief for yourself but upset if members of your family have tested positive.
If you test positive for an hereditary cancer gene it means you have a higher risk of developing cancer in the future.
Depending on the type of faulty gene you may be offered:
We are here for you and your family before, during and after genetic testing.
Our Cancer Support Specialists are here to listen to your concerns and help you find the information and help that's right for you:
Last review: Oct 2021 | Next review: Oct 2022
Find out more about when cancer runs in families.
From American Cancer Society
Last reviewed: 21 October 2021
Understand more about whether genetic testing is right for you.
From American Cancer Society
Last reviewed: 21 October 2021
Read about inherited inherited genes , what it means and more about genetic testing.
From Cancer Research Uk (Cruk)
Last reviewed: 21 October 2021
Learn about genes and cancer, signs of hereditary cancer, genetic counselling, types of genetic tests and what results mean for you and your family.
From Force
Last reviewed: 21 October 2021
Information about genetics and cancer risk.
From Macmillan Cancer Support
Last reviewed: 21 October 2021
Detailed information and an infographic to help understand the relationship between genetics and cancer.
From National Cancer Institute (Us)
Last reviewed: 21 October 2021
Find out more about what it means for you if your relatives have cancer.
From Nhs
Last reviewed: 21 October 2021
Find out more about predictive genetic tests for cancer risk genes.
From Nhs
Last reviewed: 21 October 2021
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