The relationship between heredity and cancer

Heredity and cancer are intricately linked

Heredity and cancer are intricately linked, with genetics playing a significant role in determining an individual’s risk for developing certain types of cancer. While the majority of cancers are sporadic and arise due to a combination of environmental factors and random mutations, a subset of cancers are strongly influenced by inherited genetic mutations.

Hereditary cancer syndromes are caused by mutations in specific genes that are passed down through families. These mutations can increase the risk of developing multiple types of cancer, often at an earlier age than would be expected in the general population. For example, mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, while mutations in the Lynch syndrome-related genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and EPCAM) increase the risk of colorectal, endometrial, and other cancers.

Cancer is mainly caused by environmental factors, but genetics also plays a role. Some families will suffer from the same kind of cancer for several generations. In addition to living in the same environment and the same living habits, it reminds people whether there is a genetic problem. Experts believe that cancer is caused by the interaction of environmental and genetic factors. Some people are more prone to certain cancers, which shows that these people have a genetic susceptibility to certain cancers.

The relationship between heredity and cancer
The relationship between heredity and cancer

Cancer types with more genetic predisposition

Colon cancer

There is a disease called familial polyposis prone to develop colon cancer. According to research, if parents have this type of colon cancer, 50% of their children may also get the same disease. However, environmental factors are also very important in contributing to the occurrence of this type of colon cancer.

Retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma is an extremely malignant blinding tumor, which usually occurs in children, and 90% of it occurs before the age of 3 years. One of the parents of the child is often a patient with this disease.

Researchers at CHOP have conducted extensive studies on retinoblastoma, particularly focusing on the genetic and molecular aspects of the disease. One study found that somatic mutations in the RB1 gene can lead to retinoblastoma in both hereditary and non-hereditary forms, highlighting the critical role of this gene in the development of the cancer.

Breast cancer

The incidence of breast cancer in women whose mother or sister has breast cancer is three times higher than that in general women. If a woman’s mother or maternal grandmother had bilateral breast cancer before menopause, the risk of cancer in her lifetime can be as high as 50%, the risk of cancer at the age of 50 is 10%, and the risk of cancer in general women at the age of 50 is 1.5%. The causes of breast cancer cannot be attributed to heredity. The occurrence of breast cancer is multifactorial and also has important relations with the following factors: too much fat in the diet, increasing age, obesity, non lactation, celibacy, etc.

Other

Other malignant tumors such as leukemia, kidney tumor, nephroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, etc. People with genetic predisposition include: 3 or more close relatives in the family have suffered from one or more cancers; Cancer patients in both generations; Someone in the family once had cancer at a much earlier age than the average person; There were people in the family who had more than two primary cancers at several sites.

Suggestions for people with genetic predisposition

The occurrence of familial cancer is also inseparable from the environment. For this reason, suggestions for people with genetic predisposition are as follows:

  • make your own cancer prevention and health care plan, which should include diet, living habits, marriage and childbirth, and working environment, to avoid frequent contact with harmful substances.
  • carry out regular physical examination to find hidden dangers at an early stage. For some precancerous diseases, such as colon polyps and benign breast tumors, they should be removed as soon as possible.
  • find a better medical unit for genetic counseling to understand your cancer risk and preventive measures.

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