Genetics overview

This section contains information about genetics and cancer. Many people worry unnecessarily that their risk is above average because of their family history. Only between 5 and 10% of cancers are thought to be caused by an inherited faulty gene.

We hope that the information in this section will help you understand the role of genes in the development of some cancers and to answer some of the questions you may have about cancer and genes.

The information has been divided up into three areas:

• If you are worried about cancer – this information is for people who are worried about cancers running in families.
• Cancer genetics – this contains more detailed information about genes and cancer and about genetic testing.
• Risk-reducing breast surgery – this section is for women who have discovered that they have a significantly increased risk of developing breast cancer and are considering having breast surgery to reduce the risk.

Also, new to this section is OPERA| – an online risk assessment tool for people who are worried about the occurrence of breast and/or ovarian cancer in their family and whether there might be an inherited genetic link.