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.
C a n c e r
can affect
mu l t i p l e
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.
Such instances are rare, but an elevated risk for certain types of
cancer can be passed down from generation to generation.
• 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,
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.
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