Cancer and genetics

As the science of genetics advances, it has opened up new opportunities for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Here’s what you need to know about genetic testing and cancer. 

Prevention

Knowledge is power. If you have a family history of certain types of cancer, genetic testing might be right for you. Predictive genetic testing looks for inherited gene mutations that might put you at higher risk of getting certain kinds of cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. If testing finds that you have an inherited mutation, then you can have screening tests to look for cancer early, or even take steps to try to lower your risk. 

The best-known mutations are in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Certain changes in those genes are known to increase the risk of breast cancer and some other cancers in people with several family members who have had breast cancer.  

If a parent has breast cancer, they may want to be tested so their children are aware of whether the cancer is linked to genetics. If your mother or father has a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, you have a 50 percent chance of having the same gene mutation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But not every case is genetically linked. About 1 in every 500 women in the United States has a mutation in either her BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. 

The BRCA gene is also linked to prostate, melanoma, pancreatic and ovarian cancers, so knowing your family history can help you be more vigilant in managing your lifestyle and looking for early warning signs. Colon cancer and other less common cancers can also be tied to genes. Flags to watch out for include an unusually early onset of a common cancer — say, colon cancer in someone in their 20s — or cancers occurring in sexes where they’re not typically seen. Breast cancer is very rare in men, but it’s more common for those with a BRCA mutation — up to 7 or 8 percent, the National Institute of Health says. 

Of course, environmental factors can play a role. “When many relatives have the same type of cancer, it’s important to note if the cancer could be related to a risk factor like smoking,” the American Cancer Society notes.  

I have cancer — can genetic testing help? 

Absolutely! In most modern cancer centers, such as the Richard A. Henson Cancer Institute at TidalHealth, it’s common practice to test certain tumors once they are removed, to see if they will respond to different types of treatment. 

Shellie Gronsbell of Ocean City was treated for breast cancer at the Richard A. Henson Cancer Institute. Her surgeon, Dr. David Sechler, sent some of the tissue for oncotyping, which helps determine how a tumor will respond to chemotherapy. When the results came in, she ended up not needing chemotherapy, just radiation treatment.

“We have a hidden gem here on the Eastern Shore,” she said about her treatment, which she received at the Ocean Pines location.