Is it hereditary?

[Guest Posts]

My mum had ovarian cancer a few years ago, is it hereditary and if so how likely is it that I’ll get it? Many thanks, Jo

[Professor Ahmed Ahmed]

Yes, ovarian cancer can be hereditary. The likelihood of you getting it depends on many factors. One important factor is the number of relatives, particularly from your mother's side, who had ovarian or breast cancer in the past. If no other cases in the family have been affected by ovarian or breast cancer then your chance of getting ovarian cancer is very low. My advice is to discuss your concerns and family history with your GP and see if referral to a geneticist for further discussion would be reasonable.