Cancer gene, is there such a thing?

[LoveBeingAMummyKissingSanta]

My dad has cancer, his oldest sister and brother have both died in the last three years from cancer. My cousin on my mums side has cancer.

Is there a cancer gene? Can it be tested?

Or is this a 'normal' level? And it's just all come at the same time or a mix of both?

Some cancers do have a genetic link and do seem to be passed through families - certain types of breast and bowel cancer for example.

Have all your relatives had the same type of ccancer? If so then you may be able to get tested or have some sort of regular screening.

There is a link for some cancers in some familys - so, for instance, breast cancer in ladies who are over 50 generally isn't genetic, breast cancer in ladies under 40 has much more of a genetic link.

Some families also have genetic conditions that make them generally more at risk, but those are pretty rare, and normally you'd know about those conditions.

As Pheebe says, if your dad, his brother and sister all had the same type of cancer, then there might be testing available

My dad and his brother had collan and bowel cancer, their other brother has been advised have some investigation.

Yes, there are definitely genetic links.

If you go to your GP and talk about your family history you may be referred for genetic screening.

I now have regular mammograms, as my mum died from advanced breast cancer and there were a number of other cancer deaths in her family - including my cousin, who died at the age of 26, from ovarian cancer - which is genetically related to breast cancer.

My dad had colon cancer and we were told it is possible for a genetic disposition to this type of cancer in males so my brother was offered a test but I was not

Thanks everyone. Think I'll wait till the next time I'm at the docs and mention it.

I developed colorectal cancer early (ie, before fifty) and have been told my boys must be checked regularly from about 25.

Both my parents have lifelong non-cancerous bowel problems and both have had different sorts of cancer. In the years before I was diagnosed I had been been asked by doctors a couple of times if there was bowel cancer in my family. On hearing the answer "no" they had almost automatically dismissed my problems! After fifty, lifestyle plays a huge part. Before that it seems family history is very important.

Thanks for that thingone