2006-08-02 21:23:29 · 9 answers · asked by Sam 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
not all cancer is, but some forms of it are genetic so it can be hereditary
2006-08-02 21:28:44 · answer #1 · answered by RTFM 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, and no.
There are hundreds if not thousands of cancers and they are all caused by different factors.
A lot of skin cancers are caused by overexposure to the sun without protection.
Most lung cancers are caused by smoking or coal mining or asbestos and other things in your environment.
Like diabetes and heart disease, some cancers have been linked to heredetary factors, or at least the risk is increased. However, since you also live where your parents do when you are growing up and as a general rule are exposed to the same environment, there is not any real proof one way or another.
My Grandmother never smoked, drank or ate anything she really shouldnt have but still developed cancer in her 90's.
2006-08-02 21:33:54 · answer #2 · answered by mslider2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can be yes but just because a parent or other close relative has cancer, doesn't mean you'll definitely get it too. You are just more likely to get it than someone not related to the person with cancer. If your relatives have had cancer, it's a good idea to tell your doctor and be tested from time to time.
2006-08-02 21:30:48 · answer #3 · answered by cricket 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Genes have been found in women that tend to cause breast cancer. I know at present of no other direct link to heredity. Eats, and exposure to things in the environment are important. Smoke and lung cancer, aniline dyes and bladder cancer for example.
2006-08-02 23:17:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some are -- some are not!
Skin cancer (basal cell) - from the Sun
Breast Cancer - about 3 % from genes
Familial polyposis (colon cancer) - 100 %
Really depends on the cancer!
2006-08-02 21:30:51 · answer #5 · answered by papamarlee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some tendencies toward cancer are definitely hereditary. But environmental factors are important also, as anyone who has lost a relative who died of lung cancer from smoking can tell you.
2006-08-02 21:29:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cancer can be caused by many things, heredity certainly plays a role in some forms of cancer, but other things like carcinogens can cause it as well.
2006-08-02 22:11:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can be ecspecially colon cancer. It can also skip generations then go to the next.
2006-08-03 01:38:53 · answer #8 · answered by Sad Mom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
can be ,,depending on your family history of cancer. but most of the cases is not hereditary
2006-08-02 21:27:57 · answer #9 · answered by gillette 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋