What are inherited conditions that increase the risk of cancer?
There are some rare inherited conditions that can increase the risk of cancer. If you or a family member is affected by a rare inherited condition, you may want to contact Genetic Alliance UK for information and support.
Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer
This causes a high risk of stomach cancer and some other types of cancer.
Familial melanoma
This is linked to skin cancer and sometimes pancreatic cancer.
Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome VHL
This causes an increased risk of cysts or tumours in the:
- brain and spinal cord
- eyes and ears
- kidneys
- adrenal glands
- pancreas.
Li-Fraumeni syndrome
This causes an increased risk of several cancers from childhood onwards, including breast cancer, sarcoma, brain tumours and leukaemia.
Other cancer types
There may be other genes we currently do not know about that probably increase the risk of cancer in some families. Researchers are trying to identify these genes. For example, it is likely that cancers of the testicle, pancreas, prostate, stomach or kidney sometimes run in families. Having one relative with testicular, pancreatic, prostate, stomach or kidney cancer usually does not greatly increase your cancer risk. But if you are worried about several cases of one or more types of cancer in your family, talk to your GP.
If there is a chance there could be an unknown cancer gene in your family, you may be able to take part in a research study. You may be offered screening tests to help detect cancer early. You will also be told what symptoms to look for. This can help you find cancer earlier if it does happen.