With many cancers, if one family member is diagnosed, others should be cautious.
Mr. Vuong (name changed), 40 years old, from Tuyen Chau (Fujian, China) was diagnosed with a lung spot at a local hospital due to severe coughing with phlegm. Doctors suspected this could be an early sign of lung cancer.
In the course of discussion, the doctor was astonished when Mr. Vuong mentioned that his father passed away from esophageal cancer. Moreover, among the 12 siblings in the family, 5 were diagnosed with lung cancer, and 2 have unfortunately passed away. Additionally, an older sister had stomach cancer, and the 8th sibling had esophageal cancer.
With such a large number of family members having cancer, apart from harmful lifestyle habits, genetic factors also need to be considered.
Doctors also warn about some types of hereditary cancers.
- Breast cancer
Tran Tu Xuan, Head of the Breast Surgery Department at Ha Nam Cancer Hospital (China), stated that according to research, 20-25% of breast cancer patients have a family history, with 55%-60% attributed to genetic inheritance.
The genetic factor related to breast cancer is the BRCA1 gene, which, due to structural and functional abnormalities, increases the risk of breast cancer for women carrying this gene. Typically, if the mother has breast cancer, the likelihood of the daughter getting breast cancer is 2-3 times higher than other women.
Moreover, epidemiological studies reveal that individuals with BRCA1 mutations have a 54% higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Due to the strong hereditary tendency of breast cancer, if someone in the family has this cancer, children should pay particular attention to their health, even considering genetic testing to ensure their well-being.
- Ovarian cancer
Ngo Tieu Hoa, Head of the Cancer and Gynecology Department at Phuc Dan University Cancer Hospital (China), explained that the primary cause of hereditary ovarian cancer is mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes. Research indicates that over 90% of hereditary ovarian cancers result from these mutations.
For women with a family history of ovarian cancer, confirmation tests for BRCA1/2 mutations should be considered through genetic testing or counseling, and preventive surgery may even be required based on expert advice.
- Stomach cancer
Tran To Quynh, Head of the Stomach Cancer Department at Ngan Xuyen People’s Hospital No. 1 (China), stated that although stomach cancer is not hereditary, the chance of getting the disease is higher if someone in the family is affected. Epidemiological studies indicate that individuals with a family history of stomach cancer have a 2-3 times higher risk than normal individuals.
Due to shared lifestyle habits and prolonged shared dietary habits in families, the disease can arise. This indicates that the cause of stomach cancer in the same family is not necessarily genetic.
Therefore, regular screening is recommended if someone in the family has stomach cancer for early prevention. Moreover, if symptoms like upper abdominal pain, bloating, unexplained weight loss occur, it’s essential to visit the hospital for early diagnosis.
- Liver cancer
Doctor Vuong Khiem, Deputy Head of the Hepatobiliary Surgery Department at Ha Nam Provincial Cancer Hospital (China), noted that if parents are diagnosed with liver cancer, children in the family become the first target for prevention. Hepatitis B virus tends to be transmitted within the family and can cause liver cancer. Especially, children of mothers carrying the hepatitis B virus have a higher risk of liver cancer.
Liver cancer is mainly related to infections. For instance, if someone in the family has hepatitis B or C, other members are also at risk of infection, becoming a high-risk group for liver cancer and other liver diseases such as chronic viral hepatitis and cirrhosis.
However, as long as patients with hepatitis are promptly controlled, actively treated, and the disease’s progression is stopped, the onset of liver cancer can be prevented.
If there is a patient with hepatitis in the house, regular vaccinations are necessary, and separate meals should be taken to prevent cross-infection. Simultaneously, the children of liver cancer patients should undergo comprehensive and full health checks.
