by Cami and Joey, UNMC Genetic Counseling Class of 2026
Whether someone has been diagnosed with cancer personally or has a loved one with a diagnosis of their own, it is likely that each one of us has been personally affected by cancer in some way or another. It is estimated that 1 in 5 people will develop cancer in their lifetime, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) with about twenty million new cases of cancer across the world in 2022. It is important to remember that these numbers and statistics are real people, and this is the goal of World Cancer Day.
Origins and Current State of World Cancer Day
In 2000, World Cancer Day was established by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) with the goal of reducing cancer deaths and improving access to life-saving cancer treatments. Since then, organizations and individuals around the globe recognize World Cancer Day on February 4th to raise awareness about cancer, encourage its prevention, and mobilize action to address the global cancer epidemic.
The UICC develops new campaigns every three years and this year’s campaign is titled “United by Unique.” This campaign emphasizes the importance of uniting efforts to see beyond cancer as a disease, recognize the uniqueness of each individual’s experience, and prioritize a person-centered care model to improve the outcomes for every patient. Support this cause by visiting the World Cancer Day website to read unique stories experienced by real people with cancer.
What is Cancer?
We have all heard of cancer, but what exactly is it? The National Cancer Institute defines cancer as “a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably which may spread to other parts of the body.” Our bodies carefully regulate cell growth and division, but sometimes changes occur in the DNA of our cells that disrupt this regulated process. There are automatic control mechanisms in the body that look for these changes and fix them, but they are not perfect. When DNA changes are not repaired by the body, cells may begin to grow and divide uncontrollably, leading to cancer.
Changes to the DNA are usually random, but certain factors can increase the risk for DNA changes and ultimately cancer. These factors include aging, UV radiation from the sun, smoking, genetic changes inherited from family members, and many others. Having one or more of these risk factors does not guarantee someone will get cancer—it means their risk may be higher compared to someone without those factors. While a lot of these factors influence a person’s risk, guidelines exist that help clinicians understand the average risk that someone has to develop cancer based on the general population and screen for it at the appropriate times.
What Steps Can You Take?
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) informs us how to identify cancers at earlier stages, when they are more treatable, by outlining when routine screening should begin.
Here are general guidelines for people:
- Breast cancer screenings (mammograms) should start at age 45 for women at an average risk for breast cancer.
- Cervical cancer screenings (pap smears) should start at age 25.
- Colon cancer screenings (colonoscopies or a similar method) should start at age 45.
- Prostate cancer screenings should start at age 50.
- Lung cancer screenings should start for those who smoke or have a prior history of smoking at age 50.
While routine screening plays a key role in early detection, it does not account for all factors that influence cancer risk. Personal medical history, lifestyle factors, and family history can all contribute to an individual’s risk. For those with a higher-than-average risk, screening recommendations may differ from standard guidelines, and discussions with a healthcare provider can help determine the most appropriate screening plan. In some cases, a person’s family history and other risk factors may also indicate that genetic testing could be helpful.
Why Genetic Counseling is Important
Since many factors can change a person’s risk of developing cancer, it is important to understand which factors you can control. One risk factor that none of us can control is the genes we inherit from our parents. We all have the same genes, but some individuals have changes in certain genes that may increase their risk of developing cancer. When cancer is caused by an inherited genetic change, it is referred to as a hereditary cancer syndrome. Hereditary cancer syndromes account for approximately 10% of all cancer diagnoses.
Genetic counselors are trained healthcare professionals that help determine if someone has a hereditary cancer syndrome through genetic testing. A genetic counselor gathers and reviews detailed medical and family history information to determine if genetic testing may be appropriate for their patient and their patient’s family.
Some factors that promote genetic testing are:
- A cancer diagnosis younger than age 50
- Multiple family members with a history of cancer
- Several different types of cancer occurring within the same family
- An individual with more than one distinct type of cancer during their lifetime
- Rare or uncommon types of cancer
- Cancers with certain features, such as cancer affecting both breasts or both kidneys, or triple-negative breast cancer
- A known genetic change associated with increased cancer risk in the family
- Racial or ethnic background, which may be associated with higher prevalence of certain inherited cancer conditions
Cancer genetic counselors are an important part of the healthcare team by ensuring state-of-the-art care through the most current genetic testing options and screening recommendations. If you have questions about your cancer risk or relate to some of the above factors, consider speaking with your healthcare provider or a genetic counselor. To find a genetic counselor near you, visit findageneticcounselor.org.
Resources:
Global cancer burden growing, amidst mounting need for services