Does cancer skip a generation?
My grandmother had cancer, but my mother didn't. Now I'm worried about my own health and my children's. Is it common for cancer to skip a generation, or does it mean the risk is lower for me?
5 answers
5 months ago
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Genetics are very complicated and sometimes certain hereditary cancers can appear to skip a generation, but it is not a fixed rule. Honestly, the best we can do is keep our body active and healthy. I make sure to do my daily 45-minute brisk walk and eat clean, which is great for overall prevention anyway, but do consult a genetic counselor if you have a strong family history.
6 months ago
In my family, my grandfather had prostate cancer, but my dad is absolutely fine and healthy at 58. I asked our doctor about this and he said it's not a simple 'skipping' pattern, it just depends on which genes you actually inherit. It's mostly about luck and staying aware of your health risk.
8 months ago
It can look like it skips because not everyone with the gene actually gets the disease. I always believe in keeping our immunity high with fresh amla juice and turmeric in daily meals. But if there is a known history of cancer in your family, please don't rely only on diet. Get regular clinical screenings done as advised by a doctor.
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Consult a radiation oncologist
yrs exp
7 months ago
I was reading about this for my biology class and actually, it doesn't systematically skip. It is just that some people carry the gene mutation but never get the disease themselves, though they can pass it to their kids. It is pretty scary to think about, so talking to a proper doctor is the only way to get real clarity.
6 months ago
I was researching this yesterday because my dadi had breast cancer. From what I found, hereditary cancers don't strictly skip a generation; it's just that the gene might not express itself in everyone who has it. It is so confusing to read all this online, so I'm planning to ask a doctor during our next family checkup.