Principal Director & Unit Head - Medical Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi, India
Part 2 of 8 in Diagnosis and Detection of Cancer
Cancer Myths: Family History, Genetic Testing and Who Gets Cancer
May 19, 2024
Patients bring a consistent set of misconceptions to their first cancer consultation, and correcting them changes how early a diagnosis actually gets made.
Prior health and family history don't rule cancer out
Never having been ill or taken medication does not make cancer unlikely - cancer can affect any individual, of any gender, race or age, though being fitter does lower the chances somewhat without ruling it out. A positive family history is present in only 5-10% of cancer patients; the large majority (90%) are the first person in their family to be diagnosed, including in common cancers like breast and ovarian cancer, which are overwhelmingly sporadic rather than inherited.
Genetic testing is not for everyone
Genetic testing is not routinely recommended for every cancer patient. It is specifically indicated when there are two or more generations of the family with cancer, a young patient with breast, ovarian or colon cancer, a family history of male breast cancer, or two simultaneous cancers in the same individual.
This article is based on a Jivo Masterclass session conducted by Dr. Mohit Agarwal, Principal Director & Unit Head, Medical Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi. The article has been summarised with the assistance of an AI tool from the original masterclass recording. Watch the full Masterclass recording
Looking for a cancer diagnosis or oncology consultation? Get in touch with the Jivo team
This guide is based on a live Jivo Masterclass: Dr. Mohit Agarwal taught doctors across Africa on May 19, 2024.
FROM THE LIVE Q&A
Moderator
Can testing for tumour markers be used as a screening test for cancer in a general patient checkup?
Dr. Mohit Agarwal
No - tumour markers are not specific to cancer and can be raised in non-cancerous situations too, so they should not be used as a screening tool. In a patient already diagnosed with cancer, however, they are useful for monitoring the disease.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current management strategy for colorectal cancer?▼
First, a biopsy to understand what type of cancer it is. Second, a PET-CT scan to determine whether it is stage one, two, three or four. If it is stage one to three, the patient may go for surgery with further treatment based on the report; stage four generally starts with medical management first.
How can we bring cancer diagnostics down to the local level?▼
Only through education and awareness. If patients know the seven warning signs of cancer, they will talk to their doctor and undertake screening, which brings cancer diagnosis down to the local level and enables earlier treatment.
To prevent cancer death and increase early treatment, what can be done to detect and diagnose cancer?▼
The same principle applies: go for screening, be aware of the warning signs, and maintain a healthy lifestyle - regular exercise, no tobacco, minimal alcohol and a balanced diet. Doing these things means you will either not develop cancer or you will catch it early.
What are the risks of working in a close environment to chemotherapy?▼
Chemotherapy, if not handled properly, can be toxic to people nearby. It has to be prepared in a specific mixing unit with proper precautions, and only staff trained in handling and administering chemotherapy should give it.
What are the best treatment options for already metastasised malignant disease?▼
It is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It depends on the individual patient, which cancer is present in the body, and which site it has metastasised to. Treatment can be chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy depending on exactly what is being treated.
Does a lack of family history rule out cancer?▼
No - only 5-10% of cancer patients have a positive family history; 90% are the first in their family to be diagnosed.
When is genetic testing recommended for a cancer patient?▼
When there are two or more generations with cancer, a young patient with breast/ovarian/colon cancer, male breast cancer in the family, or two simultaneous cancers in one person.
In This Series: Diagnosis and Detection of Cancer
- 1.Diagnosis and Detection of Cancer
- 2.Cancer Myths: Family History, Genetic Testing and Who Gets Cancer
- 3.Smoking and Other Major Cancer Risk Factors
- 4.The Seven Warning Signs of Cancer and How Biopsy Works
- 5.Cancer Staging, Tumour Markers and Screening Explained
- 6.Chemotherapy, Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy Explained
- 7.Breast Cancer: Prognostic Factors and Treatment Sequencing
- 8.The Role of Nutrition in Cancer Prevention and Care