The family history of cancer – a common concern in palliative care

Some rare families have a genetic mutation that is inherited either in the egg or the sperm (germline mutation). It affects all cells of the body. People who inherit a germline mutation in a cancer-associated gene are at increased risk of developing cancer. The pattern of cancer seen in such a family will depend on the specific gene involved and sometimes on the type and location of mutation in that gene. There have been considerable advances in the area of cancer genetics over the last 10 years, with the identification and characterisation of genes in which germline mutations predispose to a high risk of cancer. This article focuses mainly on genetic susceptibility to breast/ovarian and bowel cancers, since these are now areas where genetic services are usually available via Family Cancer Services.