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Cancer Risk
Read about different genes that are linked to hereditary cancer, their associated risks and guidelines for screening, preventing and treating cancers in people with inherited mutations in these genes.

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Hereditary Cancer and Genetic Testing > Hereditary Cancer Genes and Risk > By Gene Mutation > PTEN (Cowden syndrome) > Cancer Risk

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Cancer Risks Associated with an Inherited Mutation

If you have tested positive for a  mutation, we recommend consulting with a genetics expert who can assess your personal and family history of cancer, and can help you decide on a plan to manage your cancer risk.

People with an inherited  have a greatly increased lifetime risk of developing several types of cancer, with about an 85 percent lifetime risk for developing any cancer. The risks for cancer tend to happen at a younger age compared to people who do not have a mutation. Note that when we use "men" and "women" we are referring to the sex you were assigned at birth.

 
Cancer type Lifetime risk with a  mutation Lifetime risk in general population
Breast (female) 40 - 60% 12.5%
Endometrial 25 - 30% 3.1%
Thyroid cancer (and benign thyroid growths) up to 38% 1.0%
Kidney up to 35% 1-2%
Colorectal 10 - 20% 2.4%
Melanoma  6% 2.5%

Graph of lifetime risk for breast cancer in women with a <button x-data class='glossary-tip tt-pten' x-tooltip='<p>PTEN is a gene found on chromosome 10.&nbsp;Mutations in PTEN&nbsp;increase the risk for&nbsp;certain cancers, including breast, uterine, thyroid, colon, kidney, melanoma and possibly other cancers. PTEN mutations may also cause Cowden Syndrome, which is also associated with benign (noncancerous) tumors in the thyroid (goiter), uterus (fibroids), and gastrointestinal tract (polyps).&nbsp; There can also be an excess of autism and autism-like features in PTEN families.</p> <p>Also see Cowden's Syndrome.</p> ' >PTEN</button> mutation     Graph of lifetime risk for endometrial cancer in person with a <button x-data class='glossary-tip tt-pten' x-tooltip='<p>PTEN is a gene found on chromosome 10.&nbsp;Mutations in PTEN&nbsp;increase the risk for&nbsp;certain cancers, including breast, uterine, thyroid, colon, kidney, melanoma and possibly other cancers. PTEN mutations may also cause Cowden Syndrome, which is also associated with benign (noncancerous) tumors in the thyroid (goiter), uterus (fibroids), and gastrointestinal tract (polyps).&nbsp; There can also be an excess of autism and autism-like features in PTEN families.</p> <p>Also see Cowden's Syndrome.</p> ' >PTEN</button> mutation    

Graph of lifetime risk for thyroid cancer in a person with a <button x-data class='glossary-tip tt-pten' x-tooltip='<p>PTEN is a gene found on chromosome 10.&nbsp;Mutations in PTEN&nbsp;increase the risk for&nbsp;certain cancers, including breast, uterine, thyroid, colon, kidney, melanoma and possibly other cancers. PTEN mutations may also cause Cowden Syndrome, which is also associated with benign (noncancerous) tumors in the thyroid (goiter), uterus (fibroids), and gastrointestinal tract (polyps).&nbsp; There can also be an excess of autism and autism-like features in PTEN families.</p> <p>Also see Cowden's Syndrome.</p> ' >PTEN</button> mutation     Graph of lifetime risk for kidney cancer in people with a <button x-data class='glossary-tip tt-pten' x-tooltip='<p>PTEN is a gene found on chromosome 10.&nbsp;Mutations in PTEN&nbsp;increase the risk for&nbsp;certain cancers, including breast, uterine, thyroid, colon, kidney, melanoma and possibly other cancers. PTEN mutations may also cause Cowden Syndrome, which is also associated with benign (noncancerous) tumors in the thyroid (goiter), uterus (fibroids), and gastrointestinal tract (polyps).&nbsp; There can also be an excess of autism and autism-like features in PTEN families.</p> <p>Also see Cowden's Syndrome.</p> ' >PTEN</button> mutation

It is important to note that cancer risks are estimates over the course of a person's lifetime. Your lifetime risk and risk over the next five years will vary depending on:

  • current age
  • sex assigned at birth
  • specific mutation
  • personal and family health history
  • diet, exercise, lifestyle and other factors

Get Support
Get Support

FORCE offers many peer support programs for people with inherited mutations. 

Open Clinical Trials
Open Clinical Trials

The following are studies enrolling people with inherited mutations.  

Last updated January 01, 2024