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Learn about gene changes called mutations, how inherited mutations can lead to cancer, what types of cancer may be hereditary and how parents can pass gene mutations to their children.
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Genetics and Colorectal Cancer

LGBTQIA+ and Cancer

Genetic Testing

Lynch Syndrome

Women with Mutations

Men with Mutations

Genetics and Ovarian Cancer

Family History and Outreach

Genetics and Breast Cancer

Genetics and Pancreatic Cancer

I've Tested Positive, Now What?

Information for Healthcare Professionals

Biomarker Testing

Managing Menopause

Genetics and Prostate Cancer

Genetics and Endometrial Cancer

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Hereditary Cancer and Genetic Testing

Hereditary Cancer > Signs of an Inherited Mutation

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Genes and Cancer
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Inherited Mutations and Cancer
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How Are Mutations Inherited?
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Signs of an Inherited Mutation
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Types of Hereditary Cancers

Signs of an inherited mutation linked to cancer risk 

If you or a relative have been diagnosed with cancer, it may due to an inherited mutation. Signs of an inherited mutation or  include the following:

You have a blood relative who has tested positive for an inherited gene mutation linked to cancer.


OR

You or any of your family members have had:

  • Pancreatic, ovarian, , primary peritoneal or male breast cancer at any age.
  • Breast, colorectal or endometrial cancer at age 50 or younger.
  • Two separate cancer diagnoses.
  • A type of breast cancer called “” at any age.
  • cancer at age 55 or younger or   cancer.
  • Colorectal cancer at any age with tumor testing that shows  () or other tumor test results that are suggestive of .
  • Endometrial cancer at any age with tumor testing that shows  () or other tumor test results that are suggestive of .
  • More than 10 colon polyps.
  • Rare or young-onset cancers.
  • Tumor testing that shows a mutation in a gene associated with .
  • Eastern European Jewish ancestry and breast, ovarian or pancreatic cancer at any age.


OR

More than one family member on the same side of your family has had a combination of the following cancers:

  • Breast cancer
  • Ovarian, or primary peritoneal cancer
  • cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Melanoma
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Endometrial cancer
  • Stomach cancer
  • Rare or young-onset cancers

 

This list is not comprehensive; other cancers may be hereditary too. If you would like to learn if the cancer in your family is hereditary, it is important to consult with a genetics expert.

key-facts key-facts

  • Both men and women can carry an inherited mutation linked to cancer. 
  • You don't need a large family history of cancer to have an inherited mutation linked to cancer. There are situations where a single case of cancer in a family is enough to prompt a referral to an expert known as a genetic counselor. Visit our section on Testing Guidelines for information on genetic testing listed by cancer type. 
Last updated January 11, 2022