Genetic predisposition or genetic susceptibility
By
Cancer Council NSW
An inherited increase in the risk of developing a disease. People can inherit certain genetic changes that make them more likely to develop cancer, for example mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes significantly increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancers (see BRCA1 and BRCA2).
Most cancers are not linked to inherited gene changes.
- Hereditary cancer: Cancer that develops because a person has inherited a genetic change that increases their risk of cancer. Not all cancers are hereditary.
- Lynch syndrome: An inherited condition that increases the risk of several cancers, particularly bowel cancer and endometrial cancer. People with Lynch syndrome may need more regular screening or surveillance.
Also called genetic susceptibility, hereditary predisposition, and inherited predisposition.
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