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Hereditary Cancer

Clipart showing the outline of a woman's face in profile that forms into a breast cancer ribbon at her neck

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.