Ovarian cancer is the ninth most common cancer in women, but it ranks fifth as the cause of cancer death in women. While most ovarian cancer does not run in the family, approximately 10-15% of ovarian cancer is hereditary. Hereditary cancers are caused by a mutation in a gene that can be passed on from generation to generation. Women who have an abnormal mutation can have up to a 44% risk of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer during their lifetimes.

Factors that may increase your risk of Ovarian cancer include:

• Family history of breast cancer
• Genetic Mutations
• A previous cancer diagnosis
• Increasing age
• Never having been pregnant

How to reduce the risk of Ovarian cancer:

• Consider taking Birth Control Pills
• Preventative Surgery

Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in either the colon or the rectum. Most Colorectal cancer does not run in the family, but approximately 5% of colorectal cancer is hereditary. Hereditary cancers are caused by a mutation in a gene that can be passed from generation to generation. Women who have an abnormal mutation can have up to an 80% risk of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer during their lifetimes. Therefore, it is important for practitioners to talk to patients about family history of colorectal cancer and discuss undergoing regular screenings to catch any potential issues early.

Factors that may increase your risk of Colon cancer include:

• Family history of colon cancer
• Genetic mutations
• History of colon polyps, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and other diseases
• Older age (>50), African-American race
• Low-fiber, high-fat diet.
• Diabetes, Obesity, Smoking, Alcohol Consumption

How to reduce the risk of Colon cancer:

• People with an average risk of colon cancer can consider screening beginning at age 50
• People with an increased risk, such as those with a family history of colon cancer, should consider screening soon. African-Americans and American Indians may consider beginning colon cancer screening at age 45
• Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, drink alcohol in moderation, if at all
• Stop smoking
• Exercise most days of the week, Maintain a healthy weight
• Various Medications
• Risk-reducing surgery

Approximately 1 in 76 people will develop pancreatic cancer in their lifetime. Most pancreatic cancer develops by chance and does not run in families. However, some pancreatic cancers are hereditary. Hereditary cancers are caused by a mutation in a gene that can be passed on from generation to generation and cause up to 10% of pancreatic cancers. Women who have an abnormal mutation can have up to a 70% risk of being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer during their lifetimes. Therefore, if you have a family history of pancreatic cancer or any other hereditary cancer, it is important to talk to your doctor and consider genetic testing to assess your risk.

Factors that may increase your risk of pancreatic cancer include:

• Personal or family history of pancreatic cancer
• Genetic Mutations
• Smoking
• Excess body weight
• Chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Diabetes
• African-American race

How to reduce the risk of Pancreatic cancer:

• Stop smoking
• Maintain a Healthy Weight
• Choose a Healthy Diet

Endometrial cancer, which is cancer of the lining of the uterus, is the most common cancer of the female reproductive organs. It affects approximately 1 in 41 women. While most cases of endometrial cancer are not hereditary, between 1-5% of cases are caused by a genetic predisposition. It is important to be aware of this hereditary risk if there is a family history of endometrial cancer, as it can help with early detection and prevention. Regular check-ups and screenings can also help catch endometrial cancer early on when it is more treatable.

Factors that may increase your risk of Endometrial cancer include:

• Family history of uterine or colon cancer
• Genetic mutations
• Increasing age
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Changes in the balance of female hormones in the body
• Starting menstruation at an early age - before age 12 - or beginning menopause later increases the risk of endometrial cancer
• Never having been pregnant
• Hormone Therapy

How to reduce the risk of Endometrial cancer:

• Talk to your doctor about the risks of hormone therapy after menopause
• Consider taking birth control pills
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise most days of the week

Gastric cancer, also known as stomach cancer, is a type of cancer that begins in the stomach. While most cases of stomach cancer are not hereditary, some gene abnormalities can increase the risk of developing one or more types of gastric cancers.

Factors that may increase your risk of Gastric cancer include:

• Family history of stomach cancer
• Genetic Mutations
• A diet high in salty and smoked foods and low in fruits and vegetables
• Infection with Helicobacter pylori
• Long-term stomach inflammation
• Smoking
• Stomach polyps

How to reduce the risk of Gastric cancer:

• Choose a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables and reduce the amount of salty and smokey foods
• Exercise most days of the week and maintain a healthy weight
• Certain Medications
• Increased Screenings
• Stop Smoking

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the skin. It is divided into two main categories: non-melanoma and melanoma. Non-melanoma skin cancers, which include basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are the most common types of skin cancer and are generally less dangerous than melanoma. However, melanoma is a much more aggressive form of skin cancer that can spread rapidly to other parts of the body if not detected and treated early. It is important to protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays by wearing protective clothing, using sunscreen, and avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun during peak hours. 

Factors that may increase your risk of Skin cancer include:

• Family history of skin cancer
• Genetic mutations
• Exposure to sunlight/UV radiation
• Fair skin, Moles, Skin lesions
• History of sunburns or fragile skin

How to reduce the risk of Skin cancer:

• Avoid the sun during the middle of the day
• Wear sunscreen year-round and protective clothing
• Avoid tanning beds
• Be aware of sun-sensitizing medications
• Vigilant screening

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer found in men, after skin cancer. It is estimated that 1 in every 8 men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime. While most cases of prostate cancer occur by chance and do not have a hereditary component, a small percentage of prostate cancers are caused by inherited genetic mutations. Men who have a family history of prostate cancer or who carry certain genetic mutations, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, are at an increased risk of developing the disease. In its early stages, prostate cancer may not cause any noticeable symptoms, which is why regular screenings are important for early detection. Men over the age of 50, African American men, and men with a family history of prostate cancer are at a higher risk of developing the disease and should talk to their healthcare provider about screening options.

Factors that may increase your risk of Prostate cancer include:

• Family history of prostate cancer
• Genetic Mutations
• Older Age (>65), African American Race, Obesity

How to reduce the risk of Prostate cancer:

• Choose a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables
• Exercise most days of the week. Exercise improves your overall health, helps you maintain a healthy weight
• Certain Medications
• Increased Screenings