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Winter 2010 Volume 01 No.1


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Breast cancer breakthrough in BC will help develop new breast cancer therapies
Healthy Living
Diet and Cancer Prevention in Women: Can one size fit all?
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Chemo Side Effects: Memory
Insight Into Women's Cancer
Gynecological Cancer in the Family
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Gynecological Cancer in the Family
Barbara Boyd and Mary McCullum
BC Cancer Agency's Hereditary Cancer Program

While many people are aware of family history as a risk factor for breast cancer, much less attention has been paid to the other female cancers. The recent expansion of Abreast to include the restprovides an opportunity to highlight this topic.

Like most cancers, gynecological cancers are rarely inherited. However, it is still important that any woman inform her doctor if relatives have had cancer of the female reproductive organs. While anyone can get cancer, some kinds of cancer are seen more often in some families. This may be related to factors that are shared in a family such as diet, lifestyle factors, or environmental exposures.

Your cancer risk may be increased if your mother, sister, or daughter has had certain types of gynecological cancer. This article will focus on cancer of the ovaries and cancer of the endometrium (uterus). The risk of these cancers gets higher the more relatives you have with these cancers. Increased risk for gynecological cancer does not have to come from your mother's side of the family; it can also come from your father's side.

Hereditary cancer risk assessment with a genetic professional can help to clarify:
  • your risks for cancer based on your family history

  • whether an inherited cancer syndrome is likely in your family

  • if genetic testing is available to the family (Genetic testing is only available if a personal or family history of cancer meets specific eligibility criteria and then usually must involve a family member who has cancer)

  • appropriate screening and prevention options to consider


If your family fits any of the patterns described below, you may wish to speak to your doctor about a referral to your local cancer genetics program. In BC, referrals are made to the BC Cancer Agency's Hereditary Cancer Program.

If you or a close family member have ovarian cancer (which includes certain types of ovarian, fallopian tube and peritoneal cancer), genetic assessment can clarify whether an inherited cancer syndrome is likely. Ovarian cancers that are classified as borderline or low malignant potential are NOT usually related to a hereditary cancer syndrome. About 10% of epithelial ovarian cancers can be associated with hereditary breast/ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC).



HBOC is more likely if:
  • breast cancer and ovarian cancer occur in the same person

  • there are female relatives with breast cancer, especially if it was diagnosed before age 50

  • there are male relatives with breast cancer

  • there are other relatives with ovarian cancer

  • the family background is Ashkenazi (European) Jewish


Genetic assessment is also appropriate if you or a close family member has endometrial (uterine) cancer and one or more relatives on the same side of the family have had colon cancer, particularly if someone was diagnosed before age 50. The combination of endometrial and colon cancers in a family can be associated with Lynch syndrome. Ovarian cancer may also be related to this hereditary cancer syndrome.

It is important to remember that most cancer is NOT hereditary. If you are concerned about your family history of cancer, please talk to your doctor. Additional information about hereditary cancer is also available from the Hereditary Cancer Program (www.bccancer.bc.ca/hereditarycancer).

To read about Genetic Counselling please see:
To Test or not to Test: Implications for Hereditary Testing
from Abreast in the West Vol. 9 No.2

Archived Insight Into Women's Cancer Pages
Fall 2009 Vol. 10 No. 4  The Inner and Outer Life  Janie Brown
Summer 2009 Vol.10 No.3  Insurance Discrimination & Hereditary Cancer  Barbara Boyd, MSc, CGC, CCGC
Spring 2009 Vol.10 No. 2  Research News from San Antonio 2008  Dr. Tamara Shenkier, FRCPC
Winter 2009 Vol.10 No.1  A Legacy Gift  Danielle Schroeder
Fall 2008 Vol. 9 No. 4  Creating Balance & Resiliency through Mindfulness  Catherine Traer-Martinez, MEd, RCC, Clinical Counselor
Summer 2008 Vol.9 No.3  Research at the BC Cancer Agency: Gaining Molecular Knowledge into Breast Cancer  Jennifer Wolfe, Wolfe Communications
Spring 2008 Vol.9 No.2  To Test or Not to Test? Implications for Hereditary Testing  Jenna Scott, MS, CGC
Winter 2008 Vol.9 No.1  Post Breast Therapy Pain  Dr. Pippa Hawley FRCPC, Pain & Symptom Management Specialist
Fall 2007 Vol. 8 No. 4  breast cancer now what?
(Uniting young women with breast cancer) 
Summer 2007 Vol.8 No.3  Returning To Work: Emotional Preparation   Maureen Parkinson, M.Ed C.C.R.C. & Lina Crossin, Masters Candidate
Spring 2007 Vol. 8 No. 2  Returning to Work- Things to Consider  Maureen Parkinson
Winter 2007 Vol. 8 No.1  Finding Authenticity  Sarah Sample, MSW, RSW
Fall 2006 Vol. 6 No. 4  Digital Mammography  Dr. Patricia Hassell, MDCM FRCP, Screening Radiologist
Summer 2006 Vol.7 No.3  Highlights from ASCO  Dr. Karen Gelmon, MD, FRCPC
Spring 2006 Vol. 7 No. 2  Survivor's Guilt   Dawn Turpin
Winter 2006 Vol. 7 No.1  The Latest Advances in Adjuvant Therapy  Dr. Susan Ellard
Fall 2005 Vol. 6 No. 4  Finding Better Quality of Life in "Chemo Cocktails"  By Laurene Clark, Patient Advocate, Victoria, BC
Summer 2005 Vol. 6 No. 3  An Update on Breast Cancer Research  Dr. Caroline Lorisch MD, FRCPC
Spring 2005 Vol. 6 No. 2  Disclosing Your Cancer Experience at Work  Maureen Parkinson, Vocational Rehabilitation Counsellor, BC Cancer Agency Vancouver
Winter 2005 Vol. 6 No. 1  Change and Transition  Sherri Magee Ph.D. & Kathy Scalzo M.S.O.D
Summer 2004 Vol. 5 No. 3  Anemia and Breast Cancer  Dr. Barbara Melosky, MD FRCPC
Fall 2003 Vol.4 No.4  The Reconstruction of Breasts   Peter Lennox, MD, FRCSC & Patty Clugston, MD, FRCSC
Fall 2002 Vol.3 No.4  Living with the Fear of Recurrence: The Courage to Find Peace of Mind  Janie Brown, RN, MSW, MA(Psych).
Summer 2002 Vol.3 No.3  A Relationship After Breast Cancer?  Sandra Rotholc, M.S.W., R.M.F.T
Fall 2001 Vol.2 No.4  Menopause & Breast Cancer (part 2)   Joelle Machia, RN BSN BA
Summer 2001 Vol.2 No.3  Menopause and Breast Cancer   Joelle Machia, RN BSN BA,
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