Research and Studies
About Cancer Pedigrees and Familial Predisposition
It is estimated that up to 10% of cancers are caused by inherited genes. As more genes are identified, it is likely that this percentage will increase. When a person knows that he/she has inherited a cancer causing gene, steps can be taken to
- increase the likelihood that the cancer will be detected at its earliest most treatable form, or, in some cased,
- attempt to prevent the onset of disease.
When cancer is present in a family, questions may arise as to whether the cancer is inherited. The first step in determining this is to create the patients cancer pedigree. A pedigree is a depiction of the patient and his/her family history of disease. It takes into account the age of onset of disease, and causes of death. Information is supplied to a cancer geneticist who created the pedigree.
Once prepared, the pedigree is analyzed and genetic risk is evaluated. If indications are high that the cancer is familial, the cancer geneticist would counsel the patient about gene testing. Gene testing would confirm the suspicion. Following a positive gene test, the medical oncologist would review with the patient all available options.
