A hereditary cancer refers to a cancer that results from a change in an individual’s gene that gets passed down from a parent. For women who are diagnosed with cancer under the age of 45, their provider may suggest they talk to a genetic counselor to learn whether their cancer diagnosis has a hereditary component. Younger women may be at an increased risk of breast cancer, and also ovarian cancer, due to different genetic factors.
- FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered
- MDHHS Cancer Genomics Program
- National Cancer Institute: Genetic Testing for Inherited Cancer Susceptibility Syndromes