Project to Clarify Genetic Risk
The reporting of new findings in genetic research tends to suggest that breakthroughs are just around the corner and genetics will soon enable us to prevent or cure all cancers.
Unfortunately, this is not true.
Scientists are only just beginning to understand how genes play a role in some cancers.
So far, this does not mean these cancers can be prevented.
We only know for sure that the genetic make-up we inherit from our parents plays a role in a small minority of common cancers.
About 5-10% of breast, ovarian and bowel cancers occur because of a genetic mutation that runs in some families.
This means that at least nine out of ten cancers are not to do with a family gene fault.
In the UK, 1 in 3 people get cancer at some point in their lives.
So having a few relatives with different kinds of cancers is normal.
The genetic information project aims to address the information needs of two groups of people.
For those who are unduly worried about their own cancer risk because of cancer in their families, it aims to explain the limited role of genetics in cancer at this stage in our understanding.
For people who are actually struggling to come to terms with inherited forms of cancer in their families, it will give information and advice on where to go for specialised help and support.
You should speak to your GP if you have on the same side of the family: * one close relative who got breast or bowel cancer under age 45; * or two close relatives who had breast or bowel cancer under 60; * or three or more relatives with breast or bowel cancer at any age; * or two cases of ovarian cancer, or cases of ovarian cancer and breast cancer in the family.
Breast cancer in both breasts (two primaries) or both breast and ovarian cancer, count as two cases.
If your GP agrees that you have a 'suspicious' pattern of cancers in your family, he or she will suggest that you see a cancer genetic specialist, who will find out your family history and advise you on your level of risk.
Even if a faulty gene seems to run in a family, this does not mean we know who will and who won't get cancer.
This uncertainty may be hard to live with, but the good news is even if you do have the gene you won't necessarily get the cancer.
Unfortunately, this is not true.
Scientists are only just beginning to understand how genes play a role in some cancers.
So far, this does not mean these cancers can be prevented.
We only know for sure that the genetic make-up we inherit from our parents plays a role in a small minority of common cancers.
About 5-10% of breast, ovarian and bowel cancers occur because of a genetic mutation that runs in some families.
This means that at least nine out of ten cancers are not to do with a family gene fault.
In the UK, 1 in 3 people get cancer at some point in their lives.
So having a few relatives with different kinds of cancers is normal.
The genetic information project aims to address the information needs of two groups of people.
For those who are unduly worried about their own cancer risk because of cancer in their families, it aims to explain the limited role of genetics in cancer at this stage in our understanding.
For people who are actually struggling to come to terms with inherited forms of cancer in their families, it will give information and advice on where to go for specialised help and support.
You should speak to your GP if you have on the same side of the family: * one close relative who got breast or bowel cancer under age 45; * or two close relatives who had breast or bowel cancer under 60; * or three or more relatives with breast or bowel cancer at any age; * or two cases of ovarian cancer, or cases of ovarian cancer and breast cancer in the family.
Breast cancer in both breasts (two primaries) or both breast and ovarian cancer, count as two cases.
If your GP agrees that you have a 'suspicious' pattern of cancers in your family, he or she will suggest that you see a cancer genetic specialist, who will find out your family history and advise you on your level of risk.
Even if a faulty gene seems to run in a family, this does not mean we know who will and who won't get cancer.
This uncertainty may be hard to live with, but the good news is even if you do have the gene you won't necessarily get the cancer.
