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| Inherited cancer fear 'unfounded' | Inherited cancer fear 'unfounded' |
| (1 day later) | |
| People worry unnecessarily about cancer in their family because they do not realise only a small number of cancers are hereditary, a survey suggests. | |
| The poll found 91% of more than 1,000 people polled falsely believed that if a relative has had cancer, they are at a greater personal risk of the disease. | |
| In fact, the likelihood of an increased risk is small, as nine out of 10 cancers appear by chance. | |
| The survey was carried out by information charity Cancerbackup. | The survey was carried out by information charity Cancerbackup. |
| It is sad that people are not aware of the reality, that very few cancers are caused by a known inherited genetic link Dr Andrea PithersCancerbackup | It is sad that people are not aware of the reality, that very few cancers are caused by a known inherited genetic link Dr Andrea PithersCancerbackup |
| The poll, conducted through the Genes Reunited website, found a quarter of people thought that between 50% and 100% of cancers are hereditary. | |
| The majority of people (74%) wrongly thought that if several members of their family have had different types of cancer, it means that there is a strong chance of an inherited genetic link in the family. | The majority of people (74%) wrongly thought that if several members of their family have had different types of cancer, it means that there is a strong chance of an inherited genetic link in the family. |
| It also found that 60% of people think family history is the biggest risk factor for cancer - only 15% realise that it is actually age. | It also found that 60% of people think family history is the biggest risk factor for cancer - only 15% realise that it is actually age. |
| Two-thirds of cancer occurs in people over 65 years old. | Two-thirds of cancer occurs in people over 65 years old. |
| Lifestyle impact | Lifestyle impact |
| Dr Andrea Pithers, Cancerbackup genetic information manager, said: "Worrying about cancer can be very debilitating and it is sad that people are not aware of the reality, that very few cancers are caused by a known inherited genetic link. | Dr Andrea Pithers, Cancerbackup genetic information manager, said: "Worrying about cancer can be very debilitating and it is sad that people are not aware of the reality, that very few cancers are caused by a known inherited genetic link. |
| "At the same time people should know about how they can lower their risk with things they can actually change, like eating a healthy diet and exercise." | "At the same time people should know about how they can lower their risk with things they can actually change, like eating a healthy diet and exercise." |
| Martin Ledwick, information nurse manager at Cancer Research UK ,said the results showed how important it was that people got accurate information about cancer risks. | Martin Ledwick, information nurse manager at Cancer Research UK ,said the results showed how important it was that people got accurate information about cancer risks. |
| He said: "While most cancers are not strongly linked to family history, if people are worried they should speak to their GP for advice. | He said: "While most cancers are not strongly linked to family history, if people are worried they should speak to their GP for advice. |
| "Half of all cancers could be prevented by changes to lifestyle." | "Half of all cancers could be prevented by changes to lifestyle." |
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