Understanding Genetic Predisposition to Cancer

First published August 2015
Updated August 2026

Cancer is life-changing at any age. It affects the whole family whether diagnosed in a 6-month-old or a 60-year-old. When a cancer is diagnosed in a child, parents may ask, “Why did this happen? Was there something that put my child at risk? Are my other kids at risk of getting cancer?” 

Some families do not have a child diagnosed with cancer, but many family members have had cancer over the years. These families may wonder, “Is there a way to tell if cancer runs in our family?” 

In both cases, families want to learn if there is a “genetic predisposition” to cancers. Genetic testing can sometimes help answer these questions.

Genes, made up of DNA, are present in every cell of the body. They act as instructions for our bodies, telling them how to grow and work. Some genes help protect us from getting cancer. Sometimes, there is a small change or “typo” in one of these genes. This change can make the gene stop working the way it should. When that happens, the body may not be as good at protecting itself against cancer. People who are born with one of these genetic changes may have a higher chance of developing certain types of cancer. This is called a genetic predisposition to cancer.

Some people with cancer predisposition have inherited the genetic change from a parent. In others, the genetic change is new and started with them. In either situation, no one is to blame. These gene changes happen randomly, and parents cannot control the genes they pass on to their children. 

The good news is that families with cancer predisposition can control many things. Learning about genetic cancer risk can help families take action. For many people with a genetic cancer predisposition, there are special screenings to look for cancer early, often before symptoms begin. Finding cancer early often provides more treatment options and can lead to better outcomes.

The Cancer Genetics Clinic at Nationwide Children’s Hospital focuses on genetic predispositions to cancer. Our team consists of physicians, psychologists, and genetic counselors. We see children, teens, and young adults to determine if there may be an underlying risk of cancer. This could either be because of a cancer found in the patients themselves or in family members.

During the visit, our team reviews your child’s medical history, family history, and physical exam to help decide whether genetic testing may be helpful. If genetic testing is recommended, we discuss the benefits and limitations of testing and answer any questions your family has. We also work with your insurance provider to determine coverage for testing. Once results are available, we discuss what they mean for your child and in some cases, for other family members.

If a genetic cancer predisposition is found, we can recommend a personalized plan of care. This can include regular check-ups, imaging (such as MRI or ultrasounds), blood tests, or other screenings to check for tumors or cancer. In some cases, we may also recommend genetic testing for other family members who could have the same genetic predisposition. Our goal is to help families understand their genetic risks and provide care at the right time. With careful monitoring, many cancers can be found earlier, when they are often easier to treat.

Here are some situations when a visit to our Cancer Genetics Clinic may be recommended: 

• Your child has been diagnosed with certain types of cancer, especially at a young age. Some types of cancer are more likely to be linked to an inherited genetic condition including sarcomas (cancers of bone, muscle, or other connective tissues), Wilms tumor (cancer of the kidney), acute myeloid leukemia (a type of blood cancer), or any carcinoma (cancer of glands in the body).
• Your child has a parent or sibling with cancer diagnosed under the age of 40, or a sarcoma at any age. 
• There is a history of multiple family members with benign tumors or cancers.

If you are concerned about you or your child’s risk of cancer, you should discuss your concerns with your primary health care provider. If additional testing or screening is needed, they can refer you to the appropriate cancer genetics program.

At Nationwide Children’s Hospital, cancer genetic counseling services can be reached by calling (614) 722-3695.