Cancer and families

It is not possible to "catch" cancer, however some types of cancer may occasionally run in families. If you are worried that you or other members of your family may develop a certain type of cancer because of your family history, you can find out more by clicking on the link below, or by visiting your GP to discuss any concerns you may have.

If you are worried about developing a particular cancer you will find more detailed information under that cancer type so please visit our Cancer types section.

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Link:Clinical Genetics

Produced by:Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust

Clinical Genetics is a medical speciality which is concerned with the cause, course, diagnosis and treatment of genetic and part-genetic disorders. The Oxford Regional Genetics Service is based at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford and provides a service for a population of approximately three million people across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Northamptonshire and the Swindon area of Wiltshire.

Link last reviewed: 06 November 2009

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Link:Cancer genetics (how cancer sometimes runs in families)

Produced by:Macmillan Cancer Support

This section is for anybody who is worried that cancer might run in their family. It is also for people who have been advised, or who have decided, to see a cancer genetics specialist or genetic counsellor.