Are Gynaecological Cancers (Ovarian, Breast & Uterine) Hereditary?
Gynaecological cancer: Hereditary (inherited) gynaecological cancers can genetically predispose women to an increased risk of being diagnosed with gynaecological cancers. There are many risk factors that contribute to the development of gynaecological cancers in women. Among those gene mutations constitute around 5 to 10 per cent risk. For instance, BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations are the most common. They are responsible for ovarian and breast cancers in women who have mutated BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. There is an almost 50 per cent chance of a woman passing the mutated BRCA genes to her offspring.
Another less common hereditary gynaecological cancer syndrome is Lynch syndrome. It increases the risk of getting several different types of both gynaecological and non-gynaecological cancers in women.
Lynch syndrome
MSH2 and MLH1 genes mutation or mismatched sequence in these genes cause Lynch syndrome. This type of gene mutation is present in around 1 in 1000 women who carry this gene. Endometrial cancer risk is very high in women who have Lynch syndrome. In the general population, there is an increased risk of around 40-60 per cent in women who have Lynch syndrome.
The risk of getting ovarian cancer in women, in general, is relatively low – that is around 1.5 per cent. However, the risk is very high in women with Lynch syndrome. The overall risk of getting ovarian cancer in women with Lynch syndrome is around 10 per cent. In addition, a woman with Lynch syndrome is also at an increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. A woman’s risk of developing non-gynaecological cancers such as liver, stomach, small bowel and urinary tract and pancreatic cancers also increases if she has Lynch syndrome.
What is the probability of Getting Hereditary Gynaecological Cancer?
BRCA gene mutation is possible in both men and women with around a 50% chance of both the genders passing it to their offspring. For instance, for women who have inherited BRCA2 mutated genes, then her lifetime risk of getting gynaecological cancer is around 20 per cent. Similarly, women who have inherited BRCA1 mutated genes have up to 40% lifetime risk of getting gynaecological cancer.
BRCA gene mutations are rare (uncommon). About one in a thousand women have one of the two BRCA gene mutations. However, the risk varies depending on the ethnicity and different regions of the world. For instance, the percentage of risk varies among American, Asian and Jewish populations with Ashkenazi Jewish women having a very high risk of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations.
The following family history criteria may indicate a hereditary gynaecological cancer syndrome:
- Any close relative in the family was diagnosed with breast cancer before age 45.
- Any of the close relatives – such as sister, daughter, granddaughter, mother, grandmother, niece or aunt has or had ovarian or breast cancer.
- Anyone or two of the close relatives from either maternal or paternal family side has or had ovarian or breast cancer before the age of 50 years.
Bottom Line
The genetic material of a woman (genes present in her DNA) and her family history determine whether she is at increased risk of developing gynaecological cancer. For instance, if a woman’s close family members – such as her sister or mother have had ovarian or breast cancer, then her risk of developing hereditary cancer increases. Furthermore, women at inherent risk of developing hereditary cancers typically have gynaecological cancers at a younger age than sporadic cancers. In general, the diagnosis of gynaecological cancer in a woman at a relatively younger age may indicate a genetic issue causing cancer.