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If Breast or Ovarian Cancer Runs In Your Family ... It May Be Hereditary
What is hereditary cancer?
Hereditary cancers occur because of a change (mutation) in certain genes that normally protect the body from developing cancer. This change increases a person’s risk for one or more types of cancer and can be passed from generation to generation.
The genes associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer are called BRCA1 & BRCA2. Families with one of these mutations may have multiple cases of these cancers.
Signs of a cancer-causing mutation include:
Any family member with:
~ ovarian or fallopian tube cancer at any age
~ breast cancer at age 50 or younger
~ breast cancer in both breast at any age
~ both breast and ovarian cancer
~ male breast cancer
More than one relative on the same side of the family with any of these cancers:
~ breast cancer
~ ovarian or fallopian tube cancer
~ prostrate cancer
~ pancreatic cancer
What is gene testing and how would it affect me?
A blood test can tell if a BRCA mutation runs in your family. The test should be performed first on the family member who is most likely to carry a mutation. In many cases, this is the person who has already had cancer.
If you test positive for a BRCA gene mutation, your lifetime risk for breast or ovarian cancer is very high.
If you test positive for a BRCA gene mutation, each of your children and siblings have a 50% chance of carrying the mutation. Other relatives may also carry the mutation.
If you test negative for a BRCA gene mutation, your risk for breast and ovarian cancer will vary depending on other factors.
Gene testing results may change treatment and follow-up options for women who have had breast or ovarian cancer.
For these reasons, it is important to speak first to your doctor and then with an expert trained in cancer genetics if you are concerned that cancer may run in your family or you are interested in gene testing.
Where can I learn more about hereditary cancer?
Experts in cancer genetics can help you understand hereditary cancer and provide you and your family with information about your cancer risk. They will:
~ review your family medical history to assess and explain your risk for cancer
~ discuss whether you are a candidate for gene testing and describe the benefits and
limitations of testing
~ arrange for the appropriate test if you choose to proceed with gene testing
~ interpret the gene test results and explain what they mean for you and your family
~ discuss how to manage your cancer risk and refer you to experts for follow up
If you would like to know if cancer runs in your family, please talk with a genetics expert about gene testing for hereditary cancers.
Centre for Genetics Education - Genetics Services - Familial Cancer Services
Family Cancer Clinics provide counseling and information for families with a history of cancer on: inheriting cancer, individual risk, screening, cancer risk reduction strategies.
They also provide genetic testing where appropriate. The clinics are conducted through the public hospital system and there is no direct cost to the patient for consultation or genetic testing.
Who attends a Family Cancer Clinic?
The types of families often referred to a clinic are:
~ Families with three or more individuals with a specific type of cancer - often breast/ovarian
or bowel cancer.
~ Individuals with multiple cancers or cancers diagnosed at an unusually young age.
How can you attend a Family Cancer Clinic?
There are two ways you can attend a clinic:
~ Your GP, physician or surgeon may refer you to a clinic;
~ You can call one of the Family Cancer Clinics to discuss an appointment.
When you attend a clinic you may see a Genetic Counsellor, Medical Geneticists and other medical specialists depending on the type of cancer.
For Australian Family Cancer Clinic Locations
Click Here www.genetics.com.au/services/canclin.asp
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