In our lives, many people are afraid of cancer, especially when someone in the family has had cancer, and this fear is often doubled. You might be wondering, is cancer really inevitable? Is it really destined to be in our genes? Hearing about people who develop cancer because of their family history, this phenomenon may make you wonder: If my parents or relatives have cancer, am I destined to do the same? How many genetic factors are there in cancer, and how can we avoid being "influenced" by genes? These issues are at stake for our future and health, and for the quality of life and longevity of each and every one of us.

The role of genetic factors in the onset of cancer:

Genetics and tumors: Not entirely at the mercy of fate

Gene mutations are often the driving force behind cancer, which puts cells on the road of abnormal proliferation and spread, becoming the root cause of the disease, and causing cell growth to lose its original control. The variation of these genetic materials is sometimes due to the influence of the surrounding environment, lifestyle habits or accidental factors, but sometimes it is also closely related to the inheritance of blood.

Hereditary cancer does not mean that you will get cancer, but that certain genetic mutations may be passed from parents to children, making the offspring at a relatively high risk of developing cancer. People with genetic changes may not develop cancer. Many studies have shown that cancer is the result of a combination of factors such as genes, the surrounding environment, and daily habits.

Inheritance pattern of cancer: Not everyone is contagious

Not all tumors are directly related to congenital inheritance. Many types of cancer, such as lung cancer and stomach cancer, are mainly caused by the surrounding environment and personal lifestyle habits, especially unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and unbalanced diet. Similarly, some cancers are indeed caused by genetic factors, and the risk of such inherited cancers is quite prominent.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 10% to 0% of cancers are caused by genetic factors. It is common for a number of family members to develop the same or similar malignancy, which is often a manifestation of an inherited tumor. Scientific studies have found that these cancers often involve certain genetic mutations.

There are four types of tumors that have a potential tendency to pass from family member to family.

Breast tumors and ovarian cancers

近年來，乳腺腫瘤與卵巢癌症之間的遺傳性聯繫備受矚目。尤其是BRCA1與BRCA2遺傳密碼的改變情況，是促成乳腺腫瘤與卵巢癌症發生的重要危險因素。這些基因突變的攜帶者，患乳腺癌的風險高達45%85%，患卵巢癌的風險也較高。

BRCA genetic variants are one of the most common types of hereditary tumors and are often reflected in the phenomenon of breast or ovarian malignancy in the family. When there are blood relatives with breast cancer in the family, especially when breast cancer is attacked at an early age, genetic screening is recommended to identify the hidden health threats at an early stage.

Colorectal Cancer Disease

In the classification of cancer, colorectal cancer shows a tendency to be inherited in families. The impact is not limited to the role of genetic factors, but also involves many other factors. This reveals that genes are only one of the many factors that contribute to the development of colorectal cancer. Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) are especially important to note that they are at higher risk of colorectal cancer. FAP is a type of inherited disease, and its root cause is the abnormal phenomenon of APC gene. Polyps are susceptible to growth in the intestine at a young age, and if not treated early, these polyps may slowly turn into colorectal cancer, which is extremely harmful.

Lynch syndrome, also known as familial non-adenomatous colorectal cancer, is caused by changes in genetic factors such as MLH2 and MSH0. These diseases arise from the occurrence of a variety of genetic variants, which pose a potential risk to human health. People with a special genetic combination may have a higher risk of developing rectal cancer than the general public. For people with a family history of these conditions, it is important to have frequent colorectal cancer screenings.

prostate cancer

Among the cancers commonly suffered by men, prostate cancer occupies a place and belongs to the more common category. Maintaining good lifestyle habits and conducting timely physical examinations and screenings are essential to reduce the risk of developing these diseases. Although the appearance of the disease is related to factors such as age and race, family history is also an important risk factor that cannot be ignored. In the family lineage, if there is a history of prostate tumors in your father or siblings, you are significantly more likely to suffer from this health threat than the general population. Maintaining a good lifestyle and carrying out prostate cancer screening on time is of great importance to you. The hereditary trait of prostate cancer is often associated with mutations in specific genes, which scientists are studying in the hope of discovering more effective ways to prevent it.

gastric cancer

The presence of malignant tumors in the stomach also suggests a genetic predisposition from ancestors. When there are multiple members in the family with a history of gastric cancer, especially in the case of direct blood relatives, the probability of developing gastric cancer will be increased. Particularly in East Asia, there is a significant trend of gastric cancer in families, especially for those with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), who are at significantly increased risk of gastric cancer.

What are the ways to reduce the genetic predisposition to cancer in families?

Although some cancers do have a genetic component, it does not mean that we have to "leave it to fate". Contemporary medical science has revealed that genetic factors are only one key factor in the onset of cancer, and the surrounding environment and individual lifestyle habits also play an extremely crucial role. Lifestyle changes and prevention remain key to reducing cancer risk.

Maintain a variety of food intakes to achieve a balanced and nutritious lifestyle.

Maintaining a good diet, staying away from foods rich in oil and sugar, and eating more fruits and vegetables can significantly reduce the risk of cancer. Maintaining a high-fiber diet plays a crucial role in stopping the development of colon cancer. According to a study, a high-fiber diet can help improve gut health and reduce the likelihood of colorectal cancer.

Set up a regular personal health review plan

Regular cancer screening is especially important when there is a family history of cancer, especially those types of cancer that are known to have a genetic predisposition. Patients with high-risk breast cancer and ovarian cancer should undergo genetic testing, and regularly check for breast imaging and ovarian cancer screening according to the doctor's instructions; People at high risk of colorectal cancer need regular colonoscopy to maintain their health.

Changing your daily habits, such as exercising more, getting enough sleep, and eating a balanced diet, can have a positive impact on a healthy lifestyle and keep your body feeling better.

Frequent and excessive intake of alcohol and tobacco is often the primary cause of many types of tumors, which poses a great danger to the health of individuals. If you want to stay away from cancer, you need to be vigilant against these bad habits, control your intake of tobacco and alcohol, and protect your health. Even if you don't have obvious mutations in your genes, long-term smoking and alcohol abuse will still increase your chances of developing cancer. If you want to be healthy, you have to stay away from tobacco and alcohol, control your weight and don't exceed the standard, and you have to move and exercise regularly. These good habits can help you reduce your risk of cancer and protect your health.

To understand the possible impact of family history on your health, it is important to seek professional genetic guidance. With professional guidance, people can become more aware of potential health threats and take precautions to protect their health.

When encountering a loved one with cancer in your family, especially those with a known genetic predisposition to the type of cancer, it is wise to consider seeking the advice of a genetic specialist. Using professional genetic screening services to know whether you have high-risk genetic variants can provide strong support for early prevention and screening.

The occurrence of cancer is influenced by genes, as well as by the environment and lifestyle. Although some cancers are genetically linked, they are not "predestined" to be attacked. Maintaining a scientific lifestyle, coupled with regular cancer screenings and seeking genetic advice when needed, can effectively reduce the risk of cancer and improve health. Everyone's body is unique, and understanding the risk of hereditary cancer, and taking proper precautions, can help us live longer, healthier lives.

Disclaimer: The content of the article is for reference only, the storyline is purely fictional, intended to popularize health knowledge, if you feel unwell, please seek medical attention offline.