Cancer-Related Genetic Variants May Be Inherited by Five Percent of People

One in every 20 people may inherit a genetic variant in key genes that make them prone to developing cancer, according to a major database involving hundreds of thousands of participants.

The research, in JAMA , showed that pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants (P/LPVs) for cancer susceptibility genes were much more common than previously thought.

The findings suggest that the typical practice of reserving germline genetic testing for cancer susceptibility among people with known risk factors will not identify all at-risk individuals.

This could lead to missed opportunities for personalized screening and surveillance.

The researchers also noted that prior research has shown that structured clinical management for patients with pathogenic variants is both cost-effective and lifes