OCR Text |
Show j by Corey W. Grua . Public Info. Chairman, ( Uintah Co. Unit Amer. Cancer Socr Could one inherit cancer? QUESTION: Is cancer hereditary? ANSWER: A few rare types of cancer are inheritable. The most common types are not. However, in some of these common types, there is what is known as a "familial tendency" a tendency for the particular type of cancer to occur with greater frequency among members of a particular family, than among the population at large. Familial tendencies have been found in cancer of the breast, colon, stomach, prostate and lung, and in leukemia. Therefore, when a case of any of these types of cancer occurs in one member of a family, precautionary measures are recommended for other members of the family. The "family" referred to here includes not only the parents and children, but also cousins, uncles, aunts, grandchildren, etc. Here in Utah, an interesting hereditary study is being conducted using the LDS Church's extensive genealogical records. When that research project is complete, we should have even more background about cancer tendencies in families. |