Cancers and tumors

My father has metastic brain tumor that spread to his lung and he had to have his lung removed. Am I at risk? Can I inherit cancer from him? I have the same symptoms as he does. I'm scared.

[Jordanna Joaquina, MS, CGC]

If you are concerned about symptoms, we recommend that you meet with your physician.

Cancer is a multifactorial condition, which means it involves a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors. Although most cases of cases occur sporadically, some cases are caused by a hereditary cancer syndrome. A hereditary cancer syndrome is caused by an inherited gene mutation that increases the chance to develop one or more types of cancer. Families are more likely to have a hereditary cancer syndrome if there are multiple generations of affected family members with the same cancer (or associated cancers). People who are diagnosed at an unusually young age or have certain rare cancers are also more likely to have a hereditary cancer syndrome.