Understanding family cancer syndromes
Few, if any, families have
not been affected by cancer.
No individual or family
is immune to cancer, but some
families may be more at risk of
developing certain types of cancer
than others.
In many instances, cancers
that run in families can be linked
to behaviors that families share.
For example, families that smoke
tobacco may be more vulnerable
to cancer than those that don’t, as
the smoke from tobacco is known
to contain dozens of carcinogens.
Cancer can affect multiple generations,
even in families in which
only one person smokes, as exposure
to secondhand smoke also
increases cancer risk.
But poor behaviors or the effects
of those behaviors are not
the only cancer risk factors that
can be passed down from generation
to generation. According to
the American Cancer Society,
between five and 10 percent of
all cancers result directly from
gene mutations inherited from
a parent. When cancers within
a family are strongly linked to
such mutations, this is known as
family cancer syndrome.
Cancer is not necessarily
caused by a family cancer syndrome,
even if gene mutations are
inherited. But the following factors
may make it more likely that
cancers in a family are caused by
a family cancer syndrome:
• Many cases of the same type
of cancer, especially if the cancer
is considered uncommon or rare.
• Cancers that occur at an
abnormally young age within a
family compared to the median
age such cancers are typically
diagnosed among the general
population.
Train station elevator victory celebrated
Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, along with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz,
Senator Jamaal Bailey, state committeewoman Jean Hill, district leader Eric
Dinowitz and local advocates gathered at the Mosholu IRT #4 train station on
Wednesday, September 25 to announce that the station had offi cially been added
onto the MTA 2020-24 fi scal plan for renovations, which will include an ADA accessible
elevator.
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, O 68 CTOBER 11-17, 2019 BTR
• More than one type of cancer
in a single person.
• Cancers that occur in both
of a pair of organs, such as in
both kidneys, both breasts, or
both eyes.
• More than one childhood
cancer in siblings.
• Cancer that occurs in a
sex that is not usually affected
by that type of cancer, such as
a man being diagnosed with
breast cancer.
Before discussing the potential
of a family cancer syndrome
with their physicians, men and
women can survey their family
histories with the disease.
Adults can make a list of the
people in their families who
have been diagnosed with cancer,
noting their relationship to
each individual and which side
of the family each person is on.
List the type of cancers each
person was diagnosed with,
placing an asterisk or note next
to types that are considered
rare or unusual. In addition,
list the age of diagnosis for each
family member and whether or
not they developed more than
one type of cancer. This may
be difficult to determine, but
try to learn if each relative diagnosed
with cancer made any
lifestyle choices that might have
contributed to their diagnosis.
Such choices include smoking,
alcohol consumption, diet, and
activity level.
Family cancer syndromes
are rare, but understanding
them can still help families
make the right lifestyle choices.
More information about family
cancer syndromes is available at
www.cancer.org.
Such instances are rare, but an elevated risk for certain types of cancer can be passed down from generation
to generation.
Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, along with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz,
Senator Jamaal Bailey, state committeewoman Jean Hill, district leader Eric Dinowitz
and others at the Mosholu 4 train station.
Photo courtesy of Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez
Councilmen Torres, Gjonaj honor Silverio
Councilman Mark Gjonaj joined fellow Councilman Ritchie Torres and others to
honor the late Lucas Silverio, who died heroically by putting his life on the line to
courageously save a three-year-old from a burning apartment in Belmont.
Councilmen Torres, Gjonaj and Fernando Cabrera with Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson,
Senator Ruben Diaz and others to honor Lucas Silverio.
Photo courtesy of Councilman Mark Gjonaj’s offi ce
Call 718.260.2555
..to sell your car in our
CLASSIFIED SECTIONS
& get...Real Results!
/www.cancer.org
/www.cancer.org