Am I at risk if my family has had cancer?
Since Femcity Hospitals has launched an all new Women-Centric, Best Cancer treatment in Hyderabad (at the hospital), we feel the need to answer these questions for all women in Hyderabad.
Is there a thing called “Cancer Running in families”? Has this frightful question been haunting you since someone in your family has recovered from, or worse, died from cancer?
Well, there is some good news and some bad news. But regardless of what will move you more, this article is just the place you’ll find your answer. Should you be worried if any of your relatives have
Cancer.
“Cancer is a word, not a sentence.” — John Diamond.
Beat it. Don’t let it win.
You probably already know what cancer is, but I just want to brush over it again. In case you’ve missed vital information.
The number of cancer cases in India is estimated to be 13.9 lakh this year and may increase to 15.7 lakh by 2025. Chances are that you already know someone or are even related to someone who has been affected by Cancer.
So what’s all the fear about and why are we out to fight Cancer so adamantly?
Our body is made up of millions of millions of cells that are growing and multiplying into more cells, at controlled and estimated, healthy rates. As new cells are created, the old and abnormal cells will die. Cancer develops when there is a complication and the old cells don’t die when they should.
So you see what’s happening here. These cancer cells go out of control and overcrowd the body, hence disallowing the body to function normally.
There are many different types of cancer, as you can now imagine-it can be a growth of unwanted cells, in any part of the body. And some of these types of cancer can actually run in families. So how does that happen?
Your Doctor at Femcity Hospitals-the best centre for cancer treatment in Hyderabad, will be happy to explain to you in detail, but I will explain here.
The risk for cancer inherited from the parents or other members is caused by a small change (called a mutation) in a gene, which can be passed from one generation to the next in a family. If someone, unfortunately, inherits this type of gene mutation from a parent, they are more at risk to have a certain type of cancer. The cancers that can be inherited by gene mutation are
Breast cancer
Colon cancer
Prostate cancer
Ovarian cancer
Uterine cancer
Melanoma (a type of skin cancer)
Pancreatic cancer
So the short answer to your daunting question is yes.
Yes, the risk of developing certain types of cancer is greater if you have relatives who have had or have cancer. Looking into this from a medical perspective- meaning, delving more deeply into how much you are at risk could actually be a life-saving decision for many. If you know that you may be carrying this type of gene mutation from a parent, then you may be at risk of developing the same type of cancer or a similar type. Certain patterns of cancer can be signs of hereditary cancer in a family, which an expert Oncologist will be able to address, supported by advanced state-of-the-art oncology diagnostics.
Certain genetic testing can be conducted to confirm you’re carrying a genetic mutation.
So you’re asking me where the good news is! Well, here it is. Only about 10% of people diagnosed with cancer have actually inherited it. Other times, it could also be that people in the same family have developed cancer because they share the same habits that could be a catalyst to cancer and not because they have the same genes. Even if you do conduct a test and find out that you’re carrying a genetic mutation, it does not mean that you will definitely be affected. It just means you need to start screening earlier and keep away from the bad habits that can be catalysts (smoking, alcohol, unhealthy weight). Even with the genetic mutation, a person may never be affected with cancer throughout their entire life.
Another good news. Although it is most definitely true that cancer can be inherited, it isn’t true that it cannot be prevented. In fact, if you know it’s in the family, that can be a great motive for you to take the initiative to conduct regular screenings at the Doctor’s office. Of course, there is no need to be paranoid about it! You don’t have to be there every month, or not even every year for that matter!
Abundant & extensive research has been rigorously conducted by leading cancer bodies to work out preventative Cancer Diagnostics. Want me to simplify? In simple words, just get yourself screened and then follow the specialists instructions. In some cases she may ask for a screening once in every 3 years, and in others, some further investigations depending on your health history.
Screening can even prevent some kinds of cancers or it ensures early diagnosis, so the cancer can be treated easily. And there is no fear of loss of life.
It is quite simple. Isn’t it? Especially if you’re going to save a life and even more importantly if it’s your own life we’re talking about or a loved one’s.
Food for thought. Think about it. That lazy lady inside you that procrastinates the much needed Doctor’s visit, should really read this article one more time or make that appointment now.
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