Is Cancer Hereditary?

Though cancer is a genetic disease, it is not always an inherited condition. Hereditary cancers account for only 10 percent of all cancers. Here’s what to know about understanding your cancer risk. 

Gene Mutation

Cancer begins when genetic mutations occur and prevent our cells from functioning normally. 

“Genes are small sections of DNA in our cells that our body uses as instructions to create proteins—which regulate our bodily functions. Cells constantly die, but they are replaced by new ones thanks to a process called mitosis—when the cell duplicates its DNA and divides into a genetically identical cell, ” said Nandini Kulkarni, M.D.,  a fellowship-trained, double board certified, surgical oncologist and Medical Director of Surgical Oncology for Inspira Health. “However, mutations occur when DNA is read and cloned incorrectly.”

Hereditary Cancer Syndromes

According to the National Cancer Institute, genetic mutations in specific genes are linked to more than 50 hereditary cancers, such as breast, ovarian, prostate, colon and pancreatic cancers.

“If an individual’s cancer is caused by gene mutations or expression, then those genes can be passed down to their children just like any other trait (e.g., hair color, eye color, etc.),” said Dr. Kulkarni. Examples of genes associated with hereditary cancers include:

• TP53: Produces a protein that controls cell division and shelf-life, causing types of cancer cells to grow and spread throughout the body
• BRCA1 and BRCA2: Genes linked with hereditary breast and ovarian cancers
• PTEN: Linked with Cowden syndrome, an inherited trait that increases the risk of developing breast, thyroid, and endometrial cancers

Your Genetic Testing and Counseling Options

“Inspira Insight, a short screening questionnaire allows us to assess your risk for hereditary cancers. Our team is specially trained in genetics and will work with you and your health care provider to determine if genetic testing is right for you. Though genetic testing cannot identify every cancer-causing mutation, it is a great resource for those concerned about their cancer risks,” said Dr. Kulkarni.

Genetic testing involves taking a sample of your DNA, usually a blood or tissue sample, and sending it to a lab to be evaluated. Here, experts look for specific inherited mutations in someone’s genes. The benefit of genetic testing is that if you have a positive result, you can make the appropriate lifestyle changes to decrease your risk. 

“Though a positive test result means you have a genetic mutation linked to an inherited cancer, it does not necessarily mean you have cancer. It may simply indicate that you have an increased risk of developing this cancer,” said Dr. Kulkarni. “Genetic testing can also benefit your family members who are unaware of their own risk profiles. This is especially useful if you have had cancer.”

You may want to consider genetic testing or counseling if you:

• Were diagnosed with cancer before the age of 50
• Were diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 45 
• Were diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) before the age of 60
• Have a family history of cancer combinations including breast and ovarian cancer; colorectal and uterine cancer; or sarcoma, brain tumor and breast cancer
• Are a man with breast cancer or have a close male relative with breast cancer

Read more about Inspira’s approach to genetic testing and counseling or learn about Inspira’s High Risk Cancer Surveillance Program.