Genetic testing can help patients fully understand their genetic makeup, what mutations they have and how that translates to the risk of developing cancer in the future.
Cancer Genetics
Until recently, multiple myeloma has not been considered hereditary, although there are familial risks for developing the rare blood cancer.
Emily Pacer knew cancer was a risk in her family: Her paternal grandmother had cancer four times and her aunt tested positive for carrying the BRCA mutation associated with a higher risk of developing breast cancer.
Jenna Wier was no stranger to breast imaging when she walked into her appointment at Roswell Park Hematology Oncology Northtowns in the fall of 2021.
Mike Garvey was 44 when his Uncle Dan asked if he’d had a colonoscopy. After all, Mike’s grandfather was diagnosed with colorectal cancer when he was in his 50s.
If cancer runs in a family, there may be an inherited factor that increases the risk of younger generations in that family developing cancer.
It’s been a long few years for her family. In August 2016, the family, including older son Harrison, had gone to a fair and Alex, then 11 years old, hit his knee.
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“Our main focus is to evaluate patients who may have inherited forms of cancer, where it would make a difference in the management of their disease or the management of their family’s risk,” says Joseph F. Maher, MD.
As a result of having VHL, Sheana has had many surgeries. At age 12 she had a hemangioblastoma removed from her brain. At age 15, a tumor was removed from her spine. At age 17, another from her brain. She also has had tumors behind her eyes.
It is relatively uncommon for younger women — those who have not yet started menopause — to be diagnosed with breast cancer, says Ellis Levine, MD, Chief of Breast Medicine at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumor suppressor genes, meaning when they function normally their job is to keep tumors from forming. Some people however, have an altered or mutated copy of the gene and certain mutations are associated with an increased risk for several cancer types, including breast, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic, melanoma, and in some families, colorectal.