Cancer is not hereditary
There are a many types of hereditary cancers.
If you'd like to know more about these types of cancers, check out this link from the American Cancer Society that gives you information:
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/geneticsandcancer/heredity-and-cancerA few of the hereditary cancers we know about include:
Breast-ovarian cancer syndrome ~ Female family members have an estimated 80 percent lifetime chance of developing breast cancer and a 40 percent to 60 percent lifetime chance of developing ovarian cancer.
Breast-ovarian cancer syndrome 2 ~ results from an abnormal change in the BRCA2 gene. Female family members have an 80 percent lifetime chance of developing breast cancer and a 20 percent lifetime chance for ovarian cancer.
Familial adenomatous polyposis ~ is a type of hereditary colon cancer that results from an abnormal alteration in the APC gene. Individuals develop hundreds to thousands of abnormal growths (polyps) in the colon. Since any of the polyps may develop into cancer, removal of the colon is recommended. Polyps may develop in other areas of the digestive system, requiring lifelong cancer screening.
Familial melanoma ~ results from an abnormal alteration in at least one of three genes. Families with familial melanoma have an increased chance of developing melanoma and may have an increased chance for pancreatic and brain tumors.
Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) ~ is a hereditary colon cancer syndrome resulting from an abnormal change in one of at least four genes. Family members with HNPCC have an 80 percent lifetime risk of developing colon cancer. Female family members have a 40 percent to 60 percent lifetime risk of developing endometrial/uterine cancer.
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) ~ results from an abnormal alteration in the RET gene. Family members have an increased chance of developing medullary thyroid cancer, hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid gland) and tumors of the adrenal gland (known as pheochromocytoma). Removal of the thyroid gland is recommended.
Von Hippel Lindau (VHL) syndrome ~ results from an abnormal change in the VHL gene. Families with VHL syndrome have an increased risk of developing kidney cancer, tumors of adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma), and brain and spinal tumors. Tumors found on the retina, located in the back of the eye, are characteristic of this syndrome.
Source:
http://www.siteman.wustl.edu/ContentPage.aspx?id=4542&content=4512"
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