Disease may be family affair.

• Position: Cancer - Brief Article

Scientists believe that most cancers are caused by a series of genetic mutations that develop over a person's lifetime. Yet, five to 10% of cancers are associated with a single inherited gene mutation that passes down in families.

"We encourage anyone who is concerned about cancer in their family to consult their doctor about genetic testing," says Jess Thoene, director of the Hayward Genetics Center at Tulane University, New Orleans.

"By identifying a person with an increased risk of cancer, we may reduce the occurrence of cancer through clinical management strategies such as tamoxifen taken to prevent breast cancer and colonoscopy for early detection of colon cancer. This approach may improve that person's health outcome or quality of life through the benefit of the information."

Some people inherit changes in a cancer-associated gene from...