Cancers involve mutations, or changes, in the genes. In most people with cancer, these genetic changes occur after birth at a later date. In hereditary cancer, cancer is caused by a genetic mutation that people are born with.
Some cancers, such as breast, ovarian, and colon cancers tend to be hereditary, but it does not mean that you will develop cancer in one of these areas if you have close family members who have experienced this disease.
Not all genetic mutations will develop cancer, however, mutations will increase the likelihood that the person will have a higher risk of getting cancer. You can browse through the official website to know more about hereditary cancer risk.
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Only 10% of all cases of breast cancer are considered descendants. Some factors that increase the occurrence of hereditary breast cancer is breast cancer before age 45, male breast cancer, cancer in both breasts, and many cases of breast and/or ovarian cancer on one side of the family.
If you have two relatives from the same side of your family with breast cancer, your risk of getting this disease can be improved. But that does not mean that you will definitely get breast cancer. You should also keep in mind that the risk of hereditary cancer can be inherited from the mother or father. You must look at both sides of the family.
Both mutations of hereditary look for breast cancer are BRCA1 and BRCA2. Tests for two genetic factors is done by taking a blood sample. Both of these BRCA mutations (breast cancer 1 and 2) are associated with breast and ovarian cancer.
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