• Question: My family have 3 genes of cancer. Liver stomach and breast cancer. What is the possibilities I could get one of them3? My mum is clear on breast cancer but I've heard cancer can skip generations.

    Asked by to Amar, Ana, Andrea, Leah, Matt on 17 Mar 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Matthew Lam

      Matthew Lam answered on 17 Mar 2014:

      It’s hard to say without knowing a full genetic history but I know that hereditary breast cancer can skip a generation. You have to remember that inheriting a ‘breast cancer gene’ doesn’t mean that you will get breast cancer but that you may be at higher risk than people that don’t have that particular version of the gene.

      If you are at all concerned about inherited risk of cancer you should speak to your doctor.

    • Photo: Anastasia Wass

      Anastasia Wass answered on 17 Mar 2014:

      I don’t know your actual risk of getting cancer and if you have any concerns your doctor should be able to help you.
      In general; having a cancer gene does not mean you will definitely get cancer. It only increases your risk. There are things you can do to help reduce your risk of developing cancer, such as not smoking.
      I read that fewer than 10% of cancers are genetic, the rest being down to your environment. You can get a genetic test that will tell you if your at risk due to your genes.

    • Photo: Andrea Hanvey

      Andrea Hanvey answered on 17 Mar 2014:

      Two great answers from Matthew and Anastatsia

    • Photo: Leah Fitzsimmons

      Leah Fitzsimmons answered on 17 Mar 2014:

      The others are right – cancers can be affected by which genes you have, but genes are only a small part of the reason you can get cancer. Just because other people in your family have had certain types of cancer doesn’t always mean you are at risk. Your doctor can help you to find out if cancers that your relatives have had were partly to do with their genes and they can also tell you about any tests that might be available to see if you carry the same genes. It is important to remember that even if you have a gene that is known to increase risk, if you stay fit and healthy you will minimise your chance of getting cancer.

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