Cancer and Gene's

Emily · Regular Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 12

I had a question about the connection of cancer and genetics.
I had an argument with a friend the other day about if cancer is genetic of not in certain instances. A few things that came up were that if say your grandmother and her mother had cancer but both different types and then you her grandchild got cancer is that genetically related? I always thought it had to be the same kind of cancer. Also if there is alot of cancer that runs through you family does this mean you are more likely to get cancer some time in your life??

Thanks a bunch!!

Emily

dizzybuff38 · Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 4:05 am Post subject: Re: Cancer and Gene's

Hi Emily - i'll be interested in the doctors' replies also. I have breast cancer, my twin brother died of brain cancer and my Dad of colon cancer.My Dad was one of 8 siblings, and all but one died of some kind of cancer. My Oncologist told me that brain cancer is never genetic, but because I have Crohn's too, I am at high risk for colon cancer so am checked regularly by colonoscopy. As far as I have been told, different cancers do not mean you will have a genetic presdisposition. We'll see what info Dr. Leo has.
Liz.

Emily · Regular Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 12

Yeah it has been always something I never really knew and like you cancer is previlant in my family as well. Although I was the youngest to of gotten cancer it seems to be a weakness if my family in both my parents sides.

Emily

growla1974@yahoo.com · New User Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 3

I (30 yr Female)was recently diagnosed with gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor of the appendix. I have had 3 biopsy's in the last year on my cervix-all still mild dysplasia(pre cancer cells).My sister-who was born and died before I was born had Leukemia. And my mothers father died of cancer as well. My grandma on my fathers side had a lung removed due to lung cancer, but shes still kicking;) Would be interesting to find this out..
Gina
growla1974@yahoo.com
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Recently dx w/ gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor of the appendix.

leo · Owner Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello

There are certain that may be familial. Breast cancer is one of them, but most cases are sporadic. Still, there are many syndromes such as Li Fraumeni Syndrome, that predispose people to have cancer. Still, having different types of cancers affecting family members does not necessarily mean that these are not related.

All cancers are different, but some genetic defects predispose people to developd a group of cancers. There is one syndrome called Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colon Cancer (HNPCC) that may cause several different cancers.

regards,
Leo
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Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

Emily · Regular Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 12

Thanks Leo!!! I'll have to tell my friend that.

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