I heard that my wife’s cancer may be genetically related.Do other family members have to be told? Should they be encouraged to be tested for cancer themselves?

65. I heard that my wife’s cancer may be
genetically related.Do other family members
have to be told? Should they be encouraged
to be tested for cancer themselves?

The first thing your wife needs to do is to sit down
with her doctor to clarify what is meant by “genetically
related.” This term can mean many different things,
and you and your wife need to understand exactly what
the doctor means by this statement. If the doctor
believes your wife’s cancer could indicate an increased
risk factor for relatives or your children (or future children),
you may consider seeking more information
from a genetic counselor to discuss what is known
about her cancer and its connection with genetics.
Based on her family history of cancer, or perhaps
through further genetic testing, the counselor will be
able to make recommendations regarding screening
tests for the cancer, which member(s) of the family
should undergo these tests, and when. Since the earlier
a cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances for cure,
this information can be of life-altering importance to
other family members.


Genetic counselor =  An expert in genetics, a branch 
of science focused on the transmission and 
consequences of biologic inheritance.


However, people at higher risk for cancer may avoid
getting these tests based on the very powerful fear of
finding out that they have the disease or that they have
passed on a genetic predisposition for cancer to their
children. Similarly, the person with cancer may fear
that telling other family members that they are at a
higher risk for cancer will cause their loved ones emotional
distress.

Talking about personal fears with your spouse and a
member of your medical team can help clarify the
underlying beliefs causing your resistance. They also
may help provide strategies for good communication.
For many families informed about their risk of a cancer
diagnosis, the bonds of support and love only
strengthen.
Clearly, if there is someone in the family who is
already extremely emotionally distressed or psychiatrically
unstable, caution needs to be exercised in passing
this information on to that individual. In any case,
anyone contemplating testing should be made aware
that there are genetic counselors and trained clinicians
to help him or her understand the personal risk for
developing cancer and how to cope with the psychological
challenges that this knowledge can bring. The
Appendix contains information to help with issues
related to genetic testing and counseling.