Study confirms cancers-family link

 Having cancer in the family can increase your chances of developing not only the same cancer but other types too, research suggests.

A study of 23,000 people in Italy and Switzerland found that for each of 13 cancers, close relatives had an increased risk of the same disease.

But there was also evidence that a family history of one cancer could significantly raise the risk of others.
Cancer charities say risk depends on genes, lifestyle and environment.
The research, published in the journal Annals of Oncology, followed 12,000 patients with cancer at different sites in the body.

They were compared with 11,000 people without cancer.

The researchers collected information on family history of cancer, particularly in a first-degree relative (those who share about 50% of their genes - namely a parent, sibling or child).
They found people with a first-degree relative with cancer of the larynx had triple the normal risk of developing oral and pharyngeal cancer.
Those closely related to someone with oral and pharyngeal cancer had a fourfold increased risk of oesophageal cancer, while breast cancer doubled the risk of ovarian cancer for female family members.
Men had a 3.4-fold increased risk of prostate cancer if a first-degree relative had bladder cancer.
The research also confirmed some known cancer risks. They include a raised risk of women developing breast cancer if they have a family history of bowel cancer.



Culled from BBC Health