CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS
Inherited/Hereditary Cancers Panel

About 5-10% of cancers are hereditary in nature. In these cancers, an individual inherits a copy of a gene (gene with important role in cancer related pathways) with a mutation from one parent, and a working copy of the same gene from the other parent. The gene with the mutation is also called a “cancer susceptibility gene.” Since this cancer susceptibility gene is inherited, it is found in every cell of the body, but the working copy of the gene keeps each cell working properly. In cases of cancers with autosomal dominant inheritance (like BRCA 1/ 2 related Breast cancer), one defected copy of the gene predisposes the individual at increased cancer risk. In cases where cancer displays autosomal recessive (Bloom Syndrome; BLM gene) pattern, if the working copy of the gene in a cell becomes damaged by a mutation, that cell can lose its growth control and become cancerous. Thus, individuals who inherit a cancer susceptibility gene have a much greater chance for developing certain cancers in their lifetime. However, not everyone with an inherited cancer susceptibility gene will develop cancer.