Houston Methodist genetic counselor said your father's side matters more than you think

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Hereditary cancer is often associated with the maternal side of a family, but fathers can pass genetic mutations to their children as often as mothers according to Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital genetic counselor, Callie McCormack. In recognition of National Hereditary Cancer Week, she encourages those with a family history of cancer to consider genetic counseling and testing.

“Genetic testing looks for inherited mutations that may increase cancer risk,” McCormack said. “Family history of cancer on both maternal and paternal sides of the family is equally important. If a parent carries a BRCA gene, their child has a 50% chance of inheriting it.”

Among the most well-known hereditary cancer genes are BRCA1 and BRCA2, which McCormack said are associated with increased risks of breast, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic and male breast cancers. Other hereditary cancer syndromes, such as Lynch syndrome, may increase the risk of colorectal, endometrial, ovarian, stomach and other cancers.

“Many hereditary cancer conditions present differently depending on sex,” McCormack said. “For instance, BRCA1 and BRCA2 increase the risk for ovarian cancer in females and prostate cancer in males.”

McCormack said family history extends beyond parents to aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents on both sides of the family and to speak with a healthcare provider if personal or family history includes:

▪ Cancer occurring at or before age 50

▪ One or more cancer diagnoses

▪ Carrying a change in a gene that’s known to cause cancer, such as BRCA1/2 ▪ Cancer in multiple close relatives on one side of the family

▪ History of rare types of cancer

▪ Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry on one or both sides of the family

How genetic counseling and testing works

▪ Referral required: Patients interested in genetic counseling should speak with their Houston Methodist primary care provider, OB/GYN or oncologist for a referral.

▪ Testing: Blood or saliva samples are collected and sent for analysis. Testing often begins with a focused panel of 8-10 high-risk genes, followed, when appropriate, by a broader panel of up to 82 genes.

▪ Results: Results are typically available within 3-4 weeks and are often reviewed during a follow-up appointment, which may include a high-risk assessment and recommendations for additional screening.

Houston Methodist offers the High Risk Cancer Program which is dedicated to identifying and caring for individuals who have higher-than-average risk of developing cancer.