Predisposition Testing for a Proactive Approach: Familial Cancer

When a child grows up with a parent who has had cancer, it can create a lot of anxiety over the unknown.

Did I pass the genes for this cancer on to her?

Will she get it too?

Is there anything she can do?

My goal is to help women understand how they can be proactive and that they actually DO have different options and choices that can change their health course.

It all starts with looking at her DNA.

Genetic Heredity

By definition, diseases like cancer are not necessarily due only to genetic heredity. Unlike genetic traits and characteristics passed down to children like blood type and eye color, chronic diseases like cancer are most often a result of the interaction between genetics and the environment (external impact).

However, as cancers can be linked to certain genetic mutations, genetic changes that increase the risk of cancer CAN be passed down or inherited.

Cancer Predisposition Genes

When a specific cancer type is prevalent in one side of the family, the cancer is recognized as a FAMILIAL cancer. Many of them are caused by a mutation in a gene related to cancer susceptibility. In addition, a term called "family cancer syndrome" (or "hereditary cancer syndrome") is a rare disorder in which family members have an above-average chance of developing a certain type or types of cancer. Family cancer syndromes are caused by inherited genetic variants in certain cancer-related genes. 

While most cancers are not directly caused by known inherited genetic mutations, it is reported that these mutations can cause up to 10% of the most common cancers. These are called "cancer predisposition" genes. Individuals who carry a mutant allele of these genes have an increased susceptibility to cancer.

In addition to these cancer predisposition genes, it is now widely identified that an accumulation of genetic or epigenetic alterations affects the conversion of normal cells to cancer cells. 

Proactive Strategies

The good news is that advances in genetic testing can help people identify if they carry one of these known predispositions. With this information, we can then create a personalized approach that helps each person feel empowered in both knowledge and effective strategies to address this.

In addition to genetic testing, assessing genomic and epigenetic changes can provide additional clues for how to optimize a person's biology and potentially reduce risk. 

With a proactive approach, no longer do women need to live in fear of the unknown. They can know they are doing everything possible to minimize their risks as well as their best options for detecting cancer early if it does develop.

Do you have a family history of cancer and want to learn more about how you can be proactive?

Request a complimentary call to see if our Genetic Predisposition Program is right for you.

Watch the video and read the original article at  https://balance-longevity.blogspot.com/2024/02/cancer-predisposition-role-of-genetic.html