Is Cancer Inherited from Parents? An IPB University Doctor Explains the Role of Genes and When Genetic Testing Is Necessary
Children of parents who have been diagnosed with cancer will not automatically develop the same disease. According to dr Ditia Gilang Shah Putra Rahim, SpA, a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition (FKGiz) at IPB University, cancer is not directly inherited from parents to children.
However, he noted that certain genetic mutations that increase susceptibility to cancer can be passed down through egg or sperm cells.
“Actually, it’s not the cancer itself that’s inherited, but the genes. Mutations in certain genes cause a person to have a predisposition to developing cancer,” he explained.
Three Categories of Cancer
Based on their genetic causes, cancers are classified into hereditary cancers associated with inherited gene mutations, familial cancers that tend to run in families, and sporadic cancers that are not associated with inherited gene mutations.
Inheriting a Gene Mutation Does Not Necessarily Mean Cancer
dr Gilang explained that if one parent carries a specific gene mutation, each child has a 50 percent chance of inheriting that mutation. However, that figure does not mean the child’s risk of developing cancer is also 50 percent.
He cited the BRCA1 gene as an example, a tumor suppressor gene that helps repair damaged DNA.
“There are two copies of BRCA1 in the body. If one of them mutates, the other copy can still help repair the damaged DNA. So, inheriting a gene mutation does not mean a person will definitely develop cancer,” he explained.
The same applies to kidney cancer. A family history of kidney cancer in parents does not automatically mean a child will develop the same cancer. “Risk assessment must take into account the age at diagnosis, family cancer patterns, and the possibility of specific genetic abnormalities,” added dr Gilang.
When Is Genetic Testing Necessary?
According to dr Gilang, conditions to watch out for include cancer that develops at a relatively young age, a person having more than one type of cancer, rare cancers, and three or more blood relatives with the same or related types of cancer.
Genetic testing or counseling may be considered when an immediate family member has been diagnosed with cancer before the age of 50, or when the family is known to carry a specific inherited gene mutation.
“The first priority for screening is given to people who have had or are currently suffering from cancer. Healthy family members are screened only after tests on affected family members reveal the presence of a gene mutation,” he explained.
Therefore, a family history of cancer must be carefully traced. Genetic counseling helps determine who needs to undergo screening and understand their cancer risk based on their individual circumstances. (Fj) (IAAS/EPK)
