Your grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 72.
Your father developed colon cancer at age 56.
Your sister was diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer at age 44.
Raising your awareness of a strong family history of cancer may reduce your risk of developing the same condition.
Family history plays an important role in determining if you're at increased risk of developing cancer. About 5 to 10 percent of all cancers are considered hereditary, the result of an abnormal alteration in a single gene that is passed down through generations.
"Most cases of cancer are not hereditary. We look for clusters of similar cancers diagnosed at an early age. However, if you have questions or a strong family history of cancer, it's important to talk with your doctor about your cancer risk," says Alison Whelan, MD, medical geneticist at the Siteman Cancer Center.
The most common hereditary cancers include breast, ovarian and colon cancer.
If you have risk factors such as a family history of cancer, multiple family members with cancer (including multi-generational) or were diagnosed with cancer at a young age, talk to your doctor about a cancer risk assessment for you and your family from the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine. The assessment will determine your likelihood to develop cancer from a detailed family history and medical records that you provide.
In the Know
"We understand a hereditary risk of cancer can be intimidating," Dr. Whelan says. "That's why we provide comprehensive education and expertise to ease your mind and help you understand how to lower or prevent your risk."
The hereditary cancer program at the Siteman Cancer Center includes a team of genetics professionals and provides education about what a hereditary cancer is, how to take care of yourself and your family, the importance of early and intensive screening, genetics testing and how preventive surgery may help.
For more information about the hereditary cancer program at the Siteman Cancer Center, call 314-TOP-DOCS (314-867-3627) or toll-free 866-867-3627.