Genetic testing

I was diagnosied with DCIS the first part of this year. There has been several different types of cancer in my family history. Mother and Father both had kidney cancer, sister -ovarian, grandfather (dad's side) colon cancer. One of my DR.'s suggested I be tested to see if I am  prone to other cancers, but with all these different types would it be prudent? I have also read that recurrant cancers have something to do with if stem cells were part of the cancer.

[Jordanna Joaquina, MS, CGC]

Cancer is a multifactorial condition, which means it involves a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors. Most cases of cancer occur sporadically.

A smaller percentage of cases of cancer are caused by a hereditary cancer syndrome. A hereditary (inherited) 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.

We recommend that you and your family meet with a cancer genetic counselor, who can review your family history in detail and provide a more accurate risk assessment. You can find a cancer genetic counselor at the National Society of Genetic Counselors website or through companies like mine, AccessDNA.