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Genes by Cancer Types

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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Genes with Mutations Linked to Risk

Inherited mutations have been linked to many different types of mutations. Some types of cancer are more likely to be hereditary. Below is a list of common cancers, and the most common genes that have been linked to increased risk for each.

Cancer Genes
Breast cancer in women

,  , , ,

Breast cancer in men

Colorectal cancer

APC, BMPR1A, , POLE, , SMAD4, , MUTYH  

Endometrial cancer

*, 

, ovarian, primary peritoneal cancer

,  ,  **, ,

Gastric cancer

APC, **

Melanoma

BAP1 (especially uveal melanoma),  CDK4CDKN2A

Pancreatic cancer

CDKN2A,  

cancer

**,  **

*BRCA1 mutations have been linked to a very rare but aggressive type of cancer known as serous endometrial cancer. The lifetime risk for endometrial cancer is not increased in women with mutations, but there is a small increase in risk for this rare subtype. 

**More research is needed to confirm a link between this cancer type and an  in this gene.

Last updated March 12, 2024