Genetics at Highgate Hospital

Most cancer occurs by chance and only 5-10% is due to an inherited genetic fault. However, in some families there is an increased risk and in these families people may benefit from an accurate cancer risk assessment and possibly genetic testing.

Am I at risk?

Families at increased risk of cancer generally show one or more of the following characteristics:

• Breast, bowel (colorectal), or womb cancer diagnosed before age 5
• Breast cancer in both breasts
• Ovarian cancer at any age
• Several cancer diagnoses in the same person
• Breast/ovarian or prostate cancer and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry

Our services

• A cancer risk assessment can determine your risk of cancer and the risk the cancer in your family is inherited
• Genetic testing may be helpful some families
• Tamoxifen and Raloxifen are medications which lower the risk of breast cancer.

What are the implications of genetic testing?

• People with genetic faults may have up to an 85% risk of certain types of cancer
• Risk reducing options such as medication and surgery may be available
• Increased cancer screening is usually possible