By understanding a patient's family history and testing
for inherited gene mutations, it is possible to uncover hereditary cancer risk — while there is still time to manage the risk and impact outcomes.
The National Cancer Institute estimates no more than 10 percent of all breast cancers are due to
inherited gene mutations such as BRCA1 or 2 (there are others).
Increased risk for breast cancer is associated with a personal or family history of the disease and inherited genetic mutations in breast cancer susceptibility genes; these include BRCA1 and BRCA2 and other less
common inherited gene mutations.
Not everyone with
an inherited gene mutation develops cancer, but it's important to know your risk to help you make decisions about your health.
The actress underwent surgery after being told she had an 87 % risk of breast cancer and a 50 % risk of ovarian cancer, due to
an inherited gene mutation, BRCA1.
That's why some people may want to be tested for
these inherited gene mutations, particularly if a certain type of cancer runs in the family.
Adults and children with
an inherited gene mutation that increases the risk of medullary thyroid cancer are often advised to have thyroid surgery to prevent cancer (prophylactic thyroidectomy).
Inherited gene mutations are your weaknesses and may increase your vulnerability to certain disease processes, especially when coupled with an epigenetic trigger such as an environmental toxin or a nutrient deficiency.