Inheritance and familial cancer
Some people are born with a fault in one of their genes. This does not mean that they will ever actually develop cancer, but it does mean that fewer other things need to go wrong with the rest of their DNA for disease to develop. Doctors say that these people are statistically more likely to get cancer, and that they have a genetic predisposition to the disease.
For example, women who are born with a mutation in one of their BRCA genes have a much greater chance of developing breast and ovarian cancer than women who do not. If there is a strong history of these cancers on one side of a woman's family, it is possible to have a genetic test to determine if she is a carrier of the gene.
People who are carriers of mutations in one of their BRCA genes can be offered extra screening to pick up any breast tumours early, before they become difficult to treat. Such tests are always carried out with total confidentiality.
People who suffer from certain inherited genetic conditions, such as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, are much more likely to develop certain types of cancer compared to other people.
You can find out more about the chances of getting cancer in the 'Understanding risk' section of 'Cancer and research'.
