Genetics

This section provides information on the following topics:

The Genetics of Cancer: This article provides an overview of cancer genetics, including a definition of genes and the genes that play a role in cancer.

Genetic Testing: Genetic testing now makes it possible, in some cases, to identify individuals who are at increased risk for developing cancer, but deciding to be tested is a complex decision.

What to Expect When Meeting With a Genetic Counselor: This article will prepare you for a visit with a genetic counselor, including what you and your family can expect during your appointment.

Sharing Genetic Test Results With Your Family: The results from genetic testing will provide information about potential cancer risks for family members. This article will touch on sharing positive test results with adults and children.

The Genetics of Breast Cancer: Information on BRCA1 and BRCA2 tumor suppressor genes, the ATM and CHEK2 genes, and Li-Fraumeni, Cowden, and Peutz-Jeghers syndromes.

The Genetics of Colorectal Cancer: Information on hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), MYH-associated polyposis, and Muir-Torre, Gardner, Turcot, Peutz-Jeghers, and juvenile polyposis syndromes.

The Genetics of Kidney Cancer: Information on Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (VHL) syndrome, familial non-VHL clear cell renal cell carcinoma, hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma (HPRCC), Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHD), and hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma (HLRCC).

The Genetics of Melanoma: Information on hereditary melanoma and melanoma-astrocytoma syndrome.

The Genetics of Ovarian Cancer: Information on hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), and hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC), Peutz-Jeghers, and nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndromes.

The Genetics of Pancreatic Cancer: Information on hereditary pancreatitis, familial atypical multiple mole melanoma and pancreatic cancer (FAMMM-PC), hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), and hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) and Peutz-Jeghers syndromes.

The Genetics of Prostate Cancer: Information on the role genes play in prostate cancer, inherited mutations and genetic conditions associated with prostate cancer, and a person's risk level for developing prostate cancer.

The Genetics of Thyroid Cancer: Information on medullary thyroid cancer, MEN 2A, MEN 2B, familial medullary thyroid cancer (FMTC), papillary and follicular thyroid cancer, familial papillary thyroid cancer, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), and Cowden syndrome.

Hereditary Cancer-Related Syndromes: Learn more information on more than 30 hereditary conditions that can raise the risk of specific types of cancer.