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.
• 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,
Such instances are rare, but an elevated risk for certain types of cancer can be passed down from generation
to generation.
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
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, O 34 CT. 15-21, 2021 BTR
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.
-Schneps Media
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