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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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Cancer Risks Associated with an Inherited Mutation

If you have tested positive for a mutation, we recommend that you consult 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 risk. Note that when we use the term "men" and "women" we are referring to the sex you were assigned at birth.

People with a mutation are at increased risk for many cancers. The following are the risks for the most common cancers in people with Li-Fraumeni syndrome:

Risks for adults

Cancer type Risk with a  mutation Average- risk person
Breast cancer in women more than 60%  12.5% 
Soft tissue sarcoma in men 22%  less than 1%
Soft tissue sarcoma in women 15% less than 1%
Bone sarcoma in men 11% less than 1%
Bone sarcoma in women 5% less than 1%
Brain cancer in men 19% less than 1%
Brain cancer in women 6% less than 1%
Colorectal cancer 20% 4%
Pancreatic cancer 5% 1.5%

 

Risks for children

Many of the cancers seen in occur particularly early in life, including in children and young adults.4% of babies will develop cancer in their first year of life

  • 22% will develop cancer by age 5
  • 41% of children will develop cancer by age 18

Research has shown that plays a role in many childhood cancers, including:

  • 80% of rhabdomyosarcoma with diffuse anaplasia
  • 50% of childhood adrenocortical carcinoma  
  • 40% of choroid plexus carcinoma
  • 40% of low-hypodiploid acute lymphoblastic leukemia
  • 10% of Sonic Hedgehog subtype medulloblastoma
  • 10% of childhood osteosarcoma 

Get Support
Get Support

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

Last updated January 02, 2024