English
English
English
Genetic screening can help identify inherited mutations associated with an increased risk of certain cancers. (Img: Pinterest)
New Delhi: Nearly three in every 10 cancer-affected North Indian families screened at the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in New Chandigarh have been found to carry genetic alterations associated with an elevated risk of hereditary cancer, highlighting the potential of genetic testing in identifying people who may benefit from early screening and preventive care.
The hospital’s Cancer Genetics Clinic, launched in January 2025, has assessed and counselled 1,000 families to determine whether cancer could be linked to inherited genetic factors. Hospital data show that approximately 30% of the 912 affected patients who have undergone genetic testing so far were found to have relevant mutations.
The hospital is part of the Tata Memorial Centre under the Department of Atomic Energy.
According to specialists at the centre, around 95% of the mutations detected in the screened group were associated with breast and ovarian cancers. The findings underline the role of genetic assessment in identifying patients whose cancer risk may be influenced by inherited factors. Such information can help doctors determine whether patients and their relatives require closer surveillance or additional preventive measures.
Genetic mutations may be inherited from a parent or arise spontaneously. Their identification can provide valuable information for assessing the likelihood of certain cancers within a family.
The hospital has also tested 132 blood relatives of affected patients, including parents, siblings and children, to determine whether they carry family-specific genetic alterations linked to cancer risk.
Identifying such changes among relatives can help healthcare professionals recommend appropriate screening schedules and timely follow-up, potentially enabling cancer risks to be addressed before symptoms emerge.
Dr Ashish Gulia, Director of Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, said genetic testing generally involves a blood sample and analysis of between 26 and 84 genes, depending on the patient's clinical requirements.
The results can assist oncologists in making treatment decisions, planning intensive surveillance and considering preventive interventions or risk-reducing surgery where medically appropriate. They can also help establish which family members may benefit from genetic testing and regular screening.
Doctors recommend considering genetic counselling when several members of a family develop the same or related cancers, particularly when diagnoses occur at an unusually young age.
A hereditary predisposition may also be suspected when cancer affects both paired organs, such as both breasts, or when an individual develops separate primary cancers in different organs. Certain physical findings, including polyps, cysts and unusual pigmented patches on the skin or eyes, may also warrant clinical assessment in the appropriate context.
Specialists stress that a family history of cancer is not the only reason to consider genetic evaluation. A cancer diagnosis at an unusually young age or other suggestive clinical features may also prompt further investigation.
