Breast cancer and uterine cancer are among the cancers that women need to be most vigilant about. But did you know that cancer can be inherited genetically from generation to generation, causing the age of onset to decrease over time? So if this problem happens to you… how do we cope? Here is advice from Associate Professor Dr. Ob Chula Trachu, an internist and medical geneticist at Phyathai 2 Hospital, that we bring to you.
Blood test confirmation… does “genetics” increase our risk?
Breast cancer and uterine cancer significantly affect women’s health and confidence. Medically, patients can know if they have cancer genes genetically only through blood tests to confirm the results clearly. However, not everyone needs to be tested.
For a patient to undergo a blood test to find genes that increase the risk of hereditary cancer, it must start with the patient observing if anyone in the family has a history of cancer, especially close blood relatives such as grandmother, mother, mother’s siblings, and our own siblings.
If there are 1 – 2 family members with cancer, suspect yourself first that you may carry hidden hereditary cancer genes in your bloodline. When you find that you are at risk, see a specialist for consultation and blood testing next.
The earlier you know, the sooner you treat
Most patients are often afraid to know that they may have hereditary cancer. But in reality, knowing the risk in advance helps patients adjust to health care, reduce risks, and plan their married life better. Because hereditary cancer can be passed down from generation to generation, doctors usually offer the following treatment options.
For younger patients, they often worry about happiness after marriage, especially about having children, so psychological adjustment is necessary. Doctors will advise on many good treatment options, such as recommending marriage and having children around the age of 28 – 33 years, which is the period with a lower risk of cancer.
Moreover, having children can use medical technology to screen and preserve eggs without cancer genes for healthy offspring. Compared to the past, there were almost no ways to prevent gene transmission from generation to generation.
As for breast cancer, doctors also have methods to selectively remove only the cancerous part while preserving the breast. Early detection when the lump is still small and has not spread increases the chances of successful treatment. It is clear that the earlier we test, the higher the chance of complete recovery, faster healing, and fewer complications.
Doctors recommend screening for breast and uterine cancer from the age of 20 onwards and scheduling regular check-ups to monitor any abnormalities that may occur.
For patients who have had children and achieved a certain level of family success, doctors may recommend hysterectomy to prevent future risks. For example, Angelina Jolie, a world-famous actress, chose to have her breasts and uterus removed due to the risk of hereditary cancer. However, Angelina had already married and had children, so she decided to undergo surgery to prevent future serious diseases without worry, to continue caring for her children.
“When a patient has cancer genes in their bloodline, it means cancer can manifest at any time, not necessarily waiting until the age of 40 – 50 years or older, because you are definitely at risk of cancer; it’s just a matter of when symptoms will appear. Therefore, the earlier patients know, the greater the chance to fight cancer effectively and plan their lives more appropriately.”
