• Question: Can canceer be genetic?

    Asked by blue13 to Hayley, Jason, Sophie on 21 Mar 2013.
    • Photo: Hayley Evers-King

      Hayley Evers-King answered on 21 Mar 2013:

      You can be at a greater risk of some cancers because of your genetics. Doctors will usually check you regularly if this is the case. It’s not guaranteed you will get it though and early detection from being monitored really helps.

    • Photo: Jason King

      Jason King answered on 21 Mar 2013:

      Genetics plays a big part in some cancers. You normally need multiple mutations for a cancer to start, and if you are born with 2 out of 3 already, you obviously have a higher chance of getting the last mutation than someone who doesn’t start of with any of them. That’s why cancer often runs in families. It doesn’t mean you will definitely get cancer though, you just have a higher chance.

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