Question

What is the difference between saying that cancer is inherited and saying that the predisposition to cancer is inherited?

Short answer

Answer: The main difference between the two statements lies in the certainty of cancer development and the inheritance patterns. Inherited cancer implies a direct transmission of a cancer-causing gene from parent to child, with a higher probability of developing cancer. Inherited predisposition to cancer simply increases the likelihood of developing cancer without guaranteeing it. Environmental and lifestyle factors also play a significant role in determining whether a person with a predisposition to cancer will actually develop it.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Inheritance of Cancer

In simple terms, cancer occurs when a cell's normal functions get disrupted and it begins to multiply uncontrollably forming tumors or masses. Both genetic and environmental factors can contribute to cancer development. Inherited cancer means that a person has a gene mutation (a change in the DNA) that increases the risk of developing cancer and this gene can be passed from a parent to their child, allowing the child to inherit the mutated gene. Predisposition to cancer, on the other hand, means that someone has certain genetic factors or an inherited gene mutation that increases their risk of developing cancer, but it doesn't necessarily mean that they will develop cancer. It simply indicates a higher likelihood of developing cancer compared to someone without predisposition.

Cancer Being Inherited

When we say that cancer is inherited, we are indicating that a specific mutated gene responsible for causing cancer can be directly passed from one generation to the next. In this case, a person with an inherited cancer-causing gene mutation is more likely to develop cancer at some point in their life. This type of hereditary cancer generally accounts for a small percentage of total cancer diagnoses, typically ranging from 5 to 10 percent.

Inherited Predisposition to Cancer

When we say a predisposition to cancer is inherited, we refer to a situation where the genetic makeup of a person increases their overall risk of developing cancer, but it is not guaranteed that they will develop cancer. It means that the person has inherited certain genetic factors from their parents that make them more susceptible to developing cancer than an average individual. But, other factors, such as lifestyle choices and environmental exposure, also play a significant role in determining whether an individual with predisposition will actually develop cancer or not.

Comparing the Two Statements

In summary, the statement that cancer is inherited implies the direct transmission of a cancer-causing gene from parent to child, and it is more likely that the child will develop cancer at some point in their life. On the contrary, when the predisposition to cancer is inherited, it just means that the person has a higher risk of developing cancer, but it's not guaranteed. Environmental and lifestyle factors still play a crucial role in determining whether the person will actually develop cancer.

Conclusion

The primary difference between the two statements lies in the certainty of cancer development and the inheritance patterns. Inherited cancer comes with a higher probability of developing cancer, while an inherited predisposition to cancer simply increases the likelihood, without guaranteeing it. Both statements acknowledge that cancer risks can be passed down through generations, but they differ in the way these risks are manifested in an individual's life.