What is Family Cancer?
- Faulty Genes and Cancer.
- How Can I Tell If My Family History of Cancer is of Concern?
- What Types of Cancer can be due to an Inheried Faulty Gene?
- What is a Family Cancer Clinic?
- How Can I Attend a Family Cancer Clinic?
Faulty genes and cancer.
Our bodies are made up of billions of tiny cells. These cells contain a copy of the genetic plan for our growth, development and health.
This genetic plan comes in the form of genes which we inherit from our parents. Our genes decide features such as the colour of our eyes, hair and skin and whether we are tall or short.
Everyone has some faulty genes. Sometimes they have been inherited from our parents. Faults in genes also build up during our life as we age. Usually faulty genes don't cause us any problems.
However, sometimes our faulty genes cause, or make us more prone to, particular health problems.
Over the last 10 years, scientists have made some important discoveries about the role faulty genes play in cancer.
For more information on genes, chromosomes and inheritance the Centre for Genetics Education has produced Genetic Fact Sheets or read our fact sheet on Cancer, Genes and Inherited Predisposition.
How can I tell if my family history of cancer is of concern?
Look at the family history on both your father’s and your mother’s side of the family. The clues that cancers in the family may be due to an inherited faulty gene include:
- The number of blood relatives who developed cancer.
The more blood relatives who have developed cancer, the more likely the cancer is due to an inherited faulty gene.
- The types of cancer (in particular breast, ovarian and/or bowel cancer)
The types of cancer and who it affects in the family are important. In some families there are a number of blood relatives who develop the same type of cancer (such as breast cancer or bowel cancer). In other families there are particular cancers running in the family (such as breast and ovarian cancer or bowel cancer and cancer of the uterus). This happens because some faulty genes can cause more than one type of cancer.
- The age at which cancers in the family developed.
The younger people were when they developed cancer (compared to what is expected in the general community), the more likely it is to be due to hereditary factors.
The more clues that are present, the more likely it is that there is an inherited faulty gene in the family causing a higher than usual chance of cancer. However, it is not definite. It is important to know that some people who inherit a faulty gene which causes an increased chance of cancer, never go on to develop cancer.
What should I do if I am worried about my family history of cancer?
Find out what types of cancer have occurred in your family and how old each person was when they got cancer. It is also important to record the family members not affected by cancer. Talk to your doctor who can help you find out if your family history of cancer is of concern. Your family history of cancer can change over time so it is important to keep your doctor updated about any new cancers. For more information on family history the Centre for Genetics Education has produced resources to help you, these can be found in the Family Health History section or in our brochure.
What if I have a Family History of Cancer?
If necessary, your doctor may refer you to a Family Cancer Clinic or Genetic Counselling Service. These services give people information about their chance of developing cancer based on their family history.
What types of cancer can be due to an inherited faulty gene?
It is thought that up to 5% of these types of cancer may involve an inherited faulty gene.
In rare cases, there may be a number of people in a family who developed less common cancers in a pattern that suggests an inherited faulty gene is present. It is therefore important to look at all the different types of cancer that have occurred in the family.
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A family history of these cancers can occur by chance, because these cancers are common, due to environmental or in rare cases they run in the family. When cancers run in the family it is said that there is an inherited predisposition, this means that there is a higher chance a person will develop cancer in their lifetime due to a faulty gene inherited from either or both parents. Inherited changes (mutations) in two genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2 are known to cause an inherited predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer in both Males and Females. Mutations in other genes may also be involved. For more information on breast and ovarian cancer the Centre for Genetics Education has developed resources to help you. Fact Sheets can be read online or printed; publications can be read online or ordered by contacting the Centre. If you have further concerns speak to your doctor, a family cancer service or genetic counselling service. Additional information can be found through the Cancer Council. Fact Sheets Cancer, Genes and Inherited Preisposition Overview Breast and Ovarian Cancer and Inherited Predisposition Publications Understanding Genetic Tests for Breast and Ovarian Cancer that runs in the Family, Information and Decision Aid. This booklet contains information for women who are considering genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer that runs in their family. The booklet includes detailed information about the BRCA gene as well as a workspace for individuals to make their own notes. Risk Management options for Women at Increased Risk of Developing Ovarian Cancer Advice about Familial Aspects of Breast Cancer and Epitheilial Cancer The most important factors that can influence an individual’s chance of developing bowel cancer are getting older and having a family history of bowel cancer. A family history of bowel cancer can occur just by chance, because cancer is common; because family members are exposed to the same environmental factors; and rarely (in 5%-10% of all cases), because a predisposition to bowel cancer is running in the family. Inherited predisposition to bowel cancer is due to inheriting from either parent a faulty copy of just one of the genes that usually prevents bowel cancer from developing (a faulty ‘cancer protection’ gene). There are at least two types of conditions that lead to bowel cancer known to be caused by the inheritance of a faulty ‘cancer protection’ gene: Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) and Hereditary Non Polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC, also called Lynch syndrome). The genes involved are called APC and MMR respectively and we usually all have working copies of these genes in our cells. A person (man or woman) who has a faulty APC or MMR gene copy and a working copy of these genes is a carrier of a faulty bowel cancer gene and is predisposed to bowel cancer. The chance of developing bowel cancer is higher than average if an individual inherits either a faulty APC or MMR gene copy, but unless further changes occur over time in both copies of a number of additional other ‘cancer protection’ genes in bowel cells, those cells will never become cancerous, therefore, the individual will not develop bowel cancer. For more information on bowel cancer the Centre for Genetics Education has developed resources to help you. Fact Sheets can be read online or printed; publications can be read online or ordered by contacting the Centre. If you have further concerns speak to your doctor, a family cancer service or genetic counselling service. Additional information can be found through the Cancer Council. Fact Sheets Cancer, Genes and Inherited Preisposition Overview Bowel Cancer and Inherited Predisposition Publications Understanding Genetic Tests for Lynch Syndrome: Information and decision aid. The most important factors that can influence an individual's chance of developing melanoma are, sun exposure, number of moles an individual has, the colour of an individual's skin and a family history of melanoma . A family history of melanoma can occur either just by chance, because cancer is common; because family members are exposed to the same environmental factors; or rarely (in 1%-2% of all cases), because a predisposition to melanoma is running in the family. Inherited predisposition to melanoma is due to inheriting from either parent a faulty copy of just one of the genes that usually prevents melanoma from developing (a faulty ‘cancer protection’ gene). These genes are called CDKN2A and CDK4 respectively and we usually have working copies of these genes in our cells. An individual (male or female) who has a faulty CDKN2A or CDK4 gene copy and an individual copy of these genes is a carrier of a faulty melanoma gene and is predisposed to melanoma. The chance of developing melanoma is higher than the average person if they inherit a faulty CDKN2A or CDK4 gene. Unless further changes occur over time in a number of additional other ‘cancer protection’ genes in skin cells, those cells will never become cancerous, therefore the individual will not develop melanoma. The Centre for Genetics Education has produced a fact sheet on melanoma. For further information it may be important to talk to your doctor. Additional information can be found through the Cancer Council . Melanoma and Inherited Predisposition The most important factors which can influence a man’s chance of developing prostate cancer are
A family history of these cancers can occur just by chance, because cancer is common; because family members are exposed to the same environmental factors; and because a predisposition to prostate cancer is in the family, though this is rare. It is thought that changes in not just one but many genes may be associated with the development of prostate cancer. While a number of ‘cancer protection’ genes in which inherited changes that make the genes faulty (mutations) have been linked to prostate cancer, no gene that contributes to a significant proportion of hereditary prostate cancer has yet been identified. A small proportion of prostate cancers may be associated with inheriting a faulty copy of the genes predisposing to breast and ovarian cancer in women (BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes). Men who have a strong family history of female relatives with breast and/or ovarian cancer, or where a faulty BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene has been identified in a relative, have a small increased risk of developing prostate cancer. For these families, Genetic Counselling and Family Cancer services are available to clarify an individual’s risk and to discuss their options for genetic testing, the limitations of such testing, advantages and disadvantages and available prevention and early detection strategies. The Centre for Genetics Education has produced a fact sheet on prostate cancer that can be viewed online or printed. For further information it may be important to talk to your doctor. Additional information can be found through the Cancer Council. |
What are Genetic Counselling and Family Cancer Clinics
Genetic Counselling and Family Cancer Clinics provide counselling and information for families with a history of cancer on:
- Inheriting cancer
- Individual risk
- Screening
- Cancer risk reduction strategies.
They also provide genetic testing where appropriate.
The clinics are conducted through the public hospital system and there is no direct cost to the patient for consultation or genetic testing.
More information on Genetic Counselling.
Who attends a Family Cancer Clinic?
The types of families often referred to a clinic are:
- Families with three or more individuals with a specific type of cancer - often breast/ovarian or bowel cancer.
- Individuals with multiple cancers or cancers diagnosed at an unusually young age.
How can you attend a Family Cancer Clinic?
There are two ways you can attend:
- Your GP, physician or surgeon may refer you to a clinic;
- You can call one of the Family Cancer Clinics to discuss an appointment.
When you attend a clinic you may see a Genetic Counsellor, Medical Geneticists and other medical specialists depending on the type of cancer.
Select the area below to view Clinical Genetics Services in that State/Territory:
New South Wales - Specialised Familial Cancer Services
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Royal Prince Alfred Hospital |
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St Vincent’s Hospital |
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St George Hospital |
| Liverpool |
Department of Cancer Genetics |
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Hunter Family Cancer Service |
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Prince of Wales Hospital |
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Royal North Shore Hospital |
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Westmead Hospital |
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Wollongong Hospital |
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) - Specialised Familial Cancer Services
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ACT Genetic Service |
Northern Territory - Specialised Familial Cancer Services
Please note there are currently no clinical genetics services offered in the Northern Territory.
Genetic referrals from the Northern Territory should be forwarded to:
Genetic Health Queensland
C/- Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital
PO BOX Herston QLD 4029
PH: (07) 3636 1686 FAX: (07) 3636 1987
Support and information may be available through other specialty services, and from a general medical practitioner.
Queensland - Specialised Familial Cancer Services
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Genetic Health Queensland |
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Brisbane North Breast Cancer Family Clinic |
Queensland - Familial Cancer Register
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Queensland Familial Bowel Cancer Registry |
South Australia - Specialised Familial Cancer Services
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Women's and Children's Hospital |
Tasmania - Specialised Familial Cancer Services
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Tasmanian Clinical Genetics Service |
Victoria - Specialised Familial Cancer Services
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Genetics Medicine and Familial Cancer Centre |
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Austin Health Genetic Service |
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Peter MacCullum Cancer Institute |
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Monash Familial Cancer Service |
| Geelong |
C/- Genetics Medicine and Familial Cancer Centre |
| Warrnambool |
C/- Genetics Medicine and Familial Cancer Centre |
Victoria - Familial Cancer Register
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Victorian Family Cancer Register |
Western Australia - Specialised Familial Cancer Services
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Perth Breast Clinic |
Western Australia - Familial Cancer Register
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Familial Cancer Register |
New Zealand - Specialised Familial Cancer
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New Zealand Familial Bowel Cancer Register |
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Southern Familial Bowel Cancer Register |
