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Diseases » Ovarian Cancer » Inheritance

Inheritance and Genetics of Ovarian Cancer

Genetics of Ovarian Cancer:

about 5-10% of cases may have a genetic risk, but most cases are sporadic. An affected relative raises lifetime risk to 3.1% from 1.4%.

Inheritance and Genetics Information

Inheritance of Ovarian Cancer: Most of ovarian cancers are sporadic and not inherited. However, five to ten percent of individuals who develop ovarian cancer have an inherited genetic susceptibility to the disease. (Source: excerpt from Ovarian Cancer: NWHIC)

Ovarian Cancer: Genetics Information

Genetics of Ovarian Cancer: In 1994, two breast cancer susceptibility genes were identified: BRCA1 on chromosome 17 and BRCA2 on chromosome 13. When an individual carries a mutation in either BRCA1 or BRCA2, they are at an increased risk of being diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer at some point in their lives. Until recently, it was not clear what the function of these genes was, until studies on a related protein in yeast revealed their normal role: they participate in repairing radiation-induced breaks in double-stranded DNA. It is though that mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 might disable this mechanism, leading to more errors in DNA replication and ultimately to cancerous growth. (Source: Genes and Disease by the National Center for Biotechnology)

About inheritance and genetics:

Inheritance of Ovarian Cancer refers to whether the condition is inherited from your parents or "runs" in families. The level of inheritance of a condition depends on how important genetics are to the disease. Strongly genetic diseases are usually inherited, partially genetic diseases are sometimes inherited, and non-genetic diseases are not inherited. For general information, see Introduction to Genetics.