Hollings Horizons Winter/Spring 2026 - Magazine - Page 10
HerEditary
CANCER
What do your genes say about your risk for cancer?
C
ancer has a lot of starting points. Sometimes it’s caused by lifestyle choices,
like smoking. Sometimes it’s simply a matter of getting older. Sometimes
we don’t know what caused a cancer. But in about 10% of cases, cancer is
hereditary – there was a genetic mutation that was handed down in the family.
Why would you want to know if you have a genetic mutation that puts you at risk
for cancer?
Having a genetic mutation doesn’t mean that you WILL get cancer. It means you’re
more likely to get cancer than the average person. But knowing this also means you
can work with doctors on preventive measures. They may recommend different
types of screening or more frequent screening.
Scan to learn more about
genEtic Counseling for cancer
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Hollings Horizons Winter/Spring 2026
