It’s natural to have a lot of questions if you’ve recently been diagnosed with cancer.

Ever think about why each of us is different? It’s because of our DNA – the special code that makes us who we are. Our DNA decides the health stuff we might face in our life journey, like dealing with not-so-friendly diseases, and one of them is the famous Cancer! So, let’s uncover the secrets of our DNA and the big fights it takes to keep us healthy! We’ll dig into the interesting world of genetics and find out why our family’s genetic history is so crucial. Understanding our family genetics can help us figure out and lower the chances of getting cancer. Let’s explore this cool science together!

What Is Hereditary Cancer?

A hereditary cancer syndrome means some people might have a higher chance of getting certain cancers because of genes passed down in families. This often happens when there are changes in certain genes that run in the family. It’s like having a special code in our genes that might make us more likely to get cancer.

For women, some common hereditary cancer syndromes include things like hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, Lynch syndrome, Cowden syndrome, and hereditary diffuse gastric cancer. These syndromes can make someone more likely to get certain types of cancer, and it often starts at an early age.

It’s all about inherited gene mutations passed down from parent to child within a family. Several factors may point to an increased risk:

To figure out if someone might be at a higher risk, doctors do something called a hereditary cancer risk assessment.

What is Genetic Cancer Risk Assessment (GCRA)?

This is like a health checkup that looks at personal and family history, along with other medical info. Doctors, especially those who take care of women’s health, like obstetricians and gynaecologists, usually do these assessments. It’s important to keep these checks up to date.

If the assessment shows a higher risk, the next step is to talk to a specialist in cancer genetics or someone who knows a lot about genes and health. They might suggest more tests, like genetic testing, to get a better idea of the risk. This could lead to a personalized plan for cancer screening or ways to lower the risk.

It’s interesting to know that having a gene mutation doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get cancer. For instance, a woman might have a 45% to 65% chance of developing breast cancer based on genetic testing, but she may never actually develop the disease. On the flip side, another woman with a lower percentage, say 25%, might end up facing breast cancer.

Can We Stop Cancer Before It Starts with Genetic Analysis?

Well, the answer might be yes! Genetic analysis checks for special codes in our genes that can make us more likely to get certain cancers. If we find out about these codes early on, we can take steps to be extra careful, like getting more check-ups or doing things to lower the risk.

Understanding our family genes is like having a secret weapon. It helps us see if there are health challenges ahead and gives us the power to do things that could prevent cancer.

Dr Sachin Marda, who leads the Genetic Cancer Risk Assessment (GCRA) at Yashoda Hospital works with other health experts and gene counsellors. They help people make smart choices about managing their risk of cancer.

Conclusion:

In the end, here’s the takeaway: our family genes are like secret weapons in the battle against cancer. They’re a big part of figuring out how likely we are to face this challenge. By understanding the stories hidden in our family history, we can make smart choices about our health.

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