Family history and inherited risk
Some cancer risk runs in families, and genetic counseling and testing can help you learn your risk.
Rosa: Hi, I'm Rosa. Sometimes cancer runs in families. Let me explain when genetic counseling can help you and your relatives.
Most cancers are not inherited. They happen because of changes in cells that build up over a lifetime. But some families have a gene change that is passed down from parent to child. This is called inherited risk. It can make certain cancers much more likely, and at younger ages.
Common examples include changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which raise the risk of breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancer. Lynch syndrome raises the risk of colon, uterine, and some other cancers.
Knowing about inherited risk can help. People with a known gene change may start screening earlier, be screened more often, or have other ways to lower their risk. Family members can also be tested.
Genetic testing is usually done with a blood or saliva sample. It is best to meet with a genetic counselor first. A genetic counselor is a health professional who helps you understand your risk, decide about testing, and make sense of the results.
Your family history can change over time. Update your doctor whenever a relative is diagnosed with cancer.
- Several relatives
- Ask about genetic counseling if several relatives on the same side of the family had the same or related cancers.
- Young age
- Cancer diagnosed before age 50 in a close relative can be a sign of inherited risk.
- Rare cancers
- Ovarian, pancreatic, or male breast cancer in the family is worth mentioning.
- More than one cancer
- One person who had two or more separate cancers.
- Known gene change
- If a relative has a known gene change, ask whether you should be tested.
- Ancestry
- Some gene changes are more common in certain groups, such as people of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.
- Privacy
- A federal law called the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) helps protect you from genetic discrimination in health insurance and jobs. It does not cover life insurance.
- Ask relatives which cancers they had and at what age.
- Write down your family history and share it with your doctor.
- Ask: Should I see a genetic counselor?
- If you test positive, ask how it changes your screening plan and what it means for your family.
Sources
Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.