Is Cancer Genetic?
How Gene Mutations Cause Cancer
Is cancer genetic?
All cancers are caused by damage to the genes in your cells. These changes are called “gene mutations.” When a cell with mutations divides, the damaged genes are passed on to the next generation of cells. Over time, cells can acquire enough mutations to stop working normally. As these cells grow out of control, they can become cancer. It usually takes many years for cells to build enough damage to become cancer.
Because all cancers are caused by gene mutations, all cancers are considered "genetic."
When people ask, "Is cancer genetic?" what many people really want to know is, "Can cancer risk can be passed down from parents to children?" or "Is cancer hereditary?"
Is cancer hereditary?
About 10 percent of cancers are caused by inherited mutations that can be passed from parents to children. These inherited mutations increase the risk for cancer from generation to generation. Cancers caused by inherited mutations are known as "hereditary cancers." You can read more about inherited mutations and hereditary cancers here.
More Information on Genes and Cancer
Inherited Mutations and Hereditary Cancers
Learn about the connection between inherited gene mutations and hereditary cancer risk.
How Mutations are Inherited
Learn about how inherited cancer risk are passed on from generation to generation.
Signs of an Inherited Mutation
These signs may indicate that the cancer in your family is hereditary.
Types of Hereditary Cancers
Learn about some common cancers caused by inherited mutations.
Participate in Genetics Research
Below are some of our featured research studies looking at genetic testing. To search for additional studies, visit our Search and Enroll Tool.
