Lewisville, TX – May 20, 2020 – Cancer is very common, and many families have members who have had the disease at some point. Certain types of cancer can be found in families because the family members share certain exposures or behaviors that increase their cancer risk. Other factors, such as obesity may run in some families. Hereditary cancer syndrome is an increased risk of cancer that runs in the family. The risk may be due to inherited mutations in specific genes.

“An inherited gene mutation can increase the risk of cancer, causing hereditary cancer syndrome,” explained Dr.Goday. “Although family cancer syndromes are rare, they can cause generational cancer which affects even young children.”

The various types of hereditary syndromes include:

• Lynch Syndrome – Lynch syndrome is the most commonly inherited syndrome that elevates one’s risk for colon cancer. Also known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, this syndrome increases colorectal cancer risk in people aged below 50 years. It also increases the risk for many other cancers and is caused by a mutation in mismatch repair (MMR) genes.

• Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome – This syndrome is caused by a mutation in either BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. It affects women in the family, even younger ones. Sometimes the women can develop more than one cancer. They can be found with breast cancer in both breasts or have breast cancer and ovarian cancer at the same time. The syndrome also causes many other cancers.

• Li-Fraumeni syndrome – Li-Fraumeni syndrome is very rare. This inherited syndrome can cause sarcomas, brain cancer, leukemia, breast cancer, and adrenal cortex cancer. The cancers affect young people and can cause them to have more than one type of cancer in their lifetime. Li-Fraumeni syndrome is caused by mutations in suppressor genes such as CHEK2, and TP53.

“If your family has a strong history of cancer, you should learn about your genetic makeup in order to plan your health care for the future,” continued Dr. Goday. “Inherited syndromes affect all body cells, and genetic testing on your saliva or blood samples can help you identify them.”

About Lewisville/Flower Mound Oncology Group

The Lewisville/Flower Mound Oncology Group has state-of-the-art facilities that offer individualized care to patients throughout North Texas. With a team of expert oncologists and other specialists on staff, the Lewisville/Flower Mound Oncology Group treats a variety of cancers and blood disorders with an eye towards the newest advancements available in diagnostic technology and treatments.

Visit: https://lewisvilleflowermoundoncology.com/physician-profile/dr-swapna-goday/