All cancer can be considered genetic because all
cancer is the result of multiple errors (mutations) in the genes
of a cell. Cancer occurs when a cell has built
up enough genetic errors to allow uncontrolled growth and the ability
to spread to other parts of the body. (This is a long process that
usually takes many
years.) For most cancers, all of the genetic errors occur after
a person is born. They are the result of aging and/or environmental
exposures. Mutations build
up in cells over time in much the same way that errors can be introduced
into a long report that has been retyped many times.
A small percentage of cancer is related to major cancer susceptibility
genes. In this situation, certain genes have errors that are inherited,
passed on from
parent to child. There is much ongoing research in this area. Some
of the cancer susceptibility genes that have been identified are
those relating to breast and
ovarian cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and medullary thyroid
cancer. It is estimated that about 5% of breast, ovarian and colon
cancers are related to
inherited susceptibility genes
Families who carry cancer susceptibility genes are more likely
to have certain characteristics. Usually there are several people
in the family (in more than one
generation) who have similar or related cancers. Cancer in these
families often occurs at an earlier age than average, frequently
when people are in their 30’s
or 40’s. Carriers of susceptibility genes are more likely
to have two separate cancers, for example, both breast and ovarian
cancer or cancer in both breasts.
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Below is a
list of certain genetic disorders followed by Kaiser Genetics. Click
on the link to learn more.
