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.

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