The Familial Cancer Clinic is a specialized program that evaluates a family's history of cancer to determine risk and recommends appropriate interventions and screening. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions. 

On this page:

• Should I be concerned about my genetic risk of cancer?
• Is most cancer genetic? 
• Do we know which cancers can be inherited?
• How do I know if my family history of cancer is genetic?
• How do I find out more about genetic testing for cancer?
• Is the history of cancer important on my father's side of the family as well as my mother's side of the family? 
• My family history looks like cancer skips a generation. Is this true?
• If the cancer in my family is not genetic, then how did it happen?
• If a cancer gene mutation has been identified in a family, how is it passed on to children? 
• I don't have cancer, but I do have a family history of breast cancer. The genetic counselor said she wanted to test my mother who has already had cancer before I had testing. Why not just test me? 

Should I be concerned about my genetic risk of cancer?

If you answer yes to one or more of the following questions, you may want to call the genetic counselor at the Familial Cancer Clinic to discuss your situation.

• Have several relatives had cancer?
• Were you or close relatives with cancer diagnosed under the age of 50?
• Have you or close relatives had more than one type of primary cancer?
• Have you or a close relative had a rare or unusual cancer?

For more information about the clinic or to discuss your personal situation, contact Mary Ahrens, 612-625-2134. To schedule an appointment, call the Masonic Cancer Clinic at 612-625-5411.

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Is most cancer genetic? 

Less than 10% of all cancers diagnosed are genetic. Most cancer is not caused by a gene that is inherited. 

Do we know which cancers can be inherited?  

A number of cancers can be inherited, such as breast, ovarian, colon, lung, kidney, thyroid, prostate, and melanoma. 

How do I know if my family history of cancer is genetic?

Family histories of cancer that are genetic usually have relatives with cancer in more than one generation, relatives with the same or more than one type of cancer, relatives who were diagnosed with cancer before age 50, relatives who have had more than one primary cancer, or relatives who have had rare cancers. A genetic counselor can help you evaluate your family for a cancer family syndrome. For more information, see Family History.

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How do I find out more about genetic testing for cancer?

Gene testing is available for individuals who have a cancer genetic family syndrome based on family history. We recommend that you see a genetic counselor or health professional with expertise in cancer genetics before genetic testing for cancer. The genetic counselor will explain the test and help interpret the results.  For more information, see Genetic Testing.

Is the history of cancer important on my father's side of the family as well as my mother's side of the family? 

Yes, at conception, we inherit half of our genes from each of our parents. Both sides of the family are important when looking at a family history of a medical condition, including cancer. 

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My family history looks like cancer skips a generation. Is this true?

In a family history, it may look like cancer skips a generation but gene mutations do not skip generations. For example, in the situation of breast-ovarian cancer, it may look like a male doesn't have the gene mutation for cancer because he does not have cancer. However, he may have inherited a gene from a parent and then passed it on to a child. It is important to remember that not everyone who has a gene mutation for cancer develops cancer. Environment also plays a part in the development of cancer. 

If the cancer in my family is not genetic, then how did it happen?

Cancer is a result of the interaction of both genes and environment over a long period of time. In a small number of families, the genetic component is very strong and predisposes individuals to cancer. Most people have cancer as a result of environmental causes, and a genetic component may or may not be involved. Unfortunately, we cannot define all the environmental factors that may contribute to a person developing cancer. 

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If a cancer gene mutation has been identified in a family, how is it passed on to children? 

If a gene mutation has been identified, it is passed on in an autosomal dominant pattern. This means that both males and females can inherit the gene mutation. If a parent has the gene mutation, each child has a 50% or 1 in 2 chance of inheriting the same gene mutation.

I don't have cancer, but I do have a family history of breast cancer. The genetic counselor said she wanted to test my mother who has already had cancer before I had testing. Why not just test me? 

For the most accurate results, we want to test a close relative who already has had cancer. This information will help tell us what gene mutation, if any, is in the family. Testing only the person who has not had cancer could be confusing. There could be many possible interpretations for a negative test result. 

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