Cervical cancer in families?

Question

I was told a few years back that my mam had cervical cancer when she was younger but i'm not sure. With me being in foster care most of my life i don't really know any family medical history, is there anyway i can find out if this was true without having to ask my mam, as we don't get on.

Answer 1

I don't believe cervical cancer is hereditary, instead it is caused by a virus (there is currently a vaccination programme for teenage girls in the UK for this).

For women's cancers, ovarian and breast cancers can be genetically inherited.

Answer 2

http://www.adoptionhelp.org/about/histor...

IF YOU ARE OF AGE YOU CAN TRY TO FINE OUT WHAT YOU WANT AT THE COUNT HOUSE. AND IF NOT THERE THAT CAN TALL YOU WHERE TO GO .

Answer 3

Usually medical records are confidential so even family cannot find out about each other. I guess if you are worried you could ask her doctor but I kind of think they wont tell you. It sounds like you are worried about it. Im not sure how old you are but age is something that isnt really an issue. I did hear of a 15 year old girl with cervical cancer. When I was 21, I had an irregular pap smear test and they were worried about cancer. I had further tests and they found I had early stages so had an operation and Ive been fine ever since. Im now 38. Pap smear tests are the only way to know if we have cervical cancer. My mum and my grandmothers did not have cervical cancer so Im unsure if my situation was genetic or not. They sometimes say its lifestyle related. Smoking, overweight etc.. which I wasnt a smoker and I was fit and healthy at the time. I also heard its related to the herpes virus and if you happened to have s*x with someone who had the virus this changed the cervical cells. For me I had only had one partner and he was faithful but he or I could have had the virus. Anyway its all complicated but back to finding out family records, I would definately try to contact the doctor she sees. Or is there a family member you trust that she is close to so you could ask them? Good luck!!!

Answer 4

Hereditary cancer of any kind is rare - fewer than 10% of all cancer cases are due to hereditary factors.



Some cancers have not been observed to run in families at all, and cervical cancer is one of them. Having relatives, including a mother, with cervical cancer isn't considered a cervical cancer risk factor.

So inheriting it isn't something you need to worry about, and you don't need to talk to your mother about it if you don't want to.

Answer 5

Unfortunately there is no other way to find out other than asking your mother. It is all down to patient confidentiality .

Answer 6

Cervical cancer is mainly caused by HPV rather than being hereditary if you go for regular smears then you shouldn't have anything to worry about.