Reproductologist Menshikova: genetic forms of cancer make up seven percent of those detected
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Genetic predisposition to any diseases is often a cause for concern, especially when it comes to oncology, said Irina Menshikova, fertility specialist at Delta Fertility Clinic, Channel Five reports.
Hereditary forms of oncology make up only seven percent of the total number of diagnosed ones, she said. The specialist explained that there are families in which almost half of the genus have developed malignant neoplasms. Among doctors there is a concept of “family cancer”. She explained that some cancers are associated with mutations in certain genes. “A person with mutations in DNA can pass them on by inheritance if they fall ill with certain types of oncology,” Menshikova assessed.
These include breast cancer, ovarian cancer. In addition, they have genetic causes of endometrium, rectal cancer, and some types of skin cancers.
However, this does not mean that a cancer patient will necessarily transmit the disease to their offspring, even if there is a genetic predisposition. “A child born from a person with mutations and having the same mutations will have an increased predisposition to the listed cancers,” the expert said. In this case, steps should be taken to prevent the risk of getting sick. She advised to undergo diagnostics more often, to carry out a family genetic analysis.
Earlier it became known that approximately one in 200 people is located for a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. Mutations increase the risk of developing breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancer.
