Simple test reveals your risk of developing killer cancers

CANCER is a condition that happens when cells divide in an uncontrolled way.

It can affect various parts of the body, with over 375,000 cases being diagnosed in the UK each day.

Getty

The simple questionnaire is suitable for both men and women and can help detect your risk of certain cancers[/caption]

This equates to around 1,000 cases a day, Cancer Research UK states.

Some inherited genes can increase the risk of cancers, and now one simple test can help reveal your risk of hereditary cancers.

It’s suitable for both men and women and will assess your risk of having inherited a gene alteration, also known as a mutation, variant or fault.

You can take this test by visiting Ovarian Cancer Action.

BRCA mutations

You’ll be asked if anyone in your family, either on your mother or father’s side, tested positive for the BRCA1 mutation.

That’s because women with the faulty BRCA1 gene have a 65 to 79 per cent lifetime risk of breast cancer and a 36 to 53 per cent risk of ovarian cancer before the age of 80, the NHS states.

You’ll also be asked about the BRCA2 mutation, as a person who inherits these mutations is at higher risk of getting breast, ovarian and prostate cancer.

All of us have BRCA genes, and we inherit two copies – one from each of our parents.

They are called tumour suppressors, because their job is to repair damaged cells and prevent them from growing and dividing too rapidly.

Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can cause cells to become abnormal, and grow in an uncontrolled way.

Here in Britain, only one in 400, or one in 800, people carry a BRCA1/2 gene mutation.

If you’re a carrier, either male or female, there’s a 50 per cent chance of you passing the mutation onto one of your kids.

Lynch syndrome

The test also looks at lynch syndrome, which is a hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer.

If you have these mutations then you could be at a heightened risk of colon cancer before the age of 50, and are also more likely to develop cancer inside the lining of the uterus before the age of 50.

Ancestry risk

You’ll be asked about your personal history, including if you have ever been diagnosed with cancer.

Specifically, you’ll then be quizzed on the family history and whether you have any Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.

This is because research shows that if you have Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, you are significantly more likely to have inherited a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene alteration.

At the end of the quiz you will be told how likely it is that you are at risk of carrying a BRCA1/2 or the lynch syndrome gene alteration.

The experts state that the tool is only a guide and is not a definitive test and should not be relied upon for a medical diagnosis.

If you are worried about your cancer risk or any of your symptoms, then it’s important that you speak to your GP.

Cancer Research UK state that there are some key signs of all cancer that we can look out for.

These include:

1. very heavy night sweats
2. fatigue
3. unexplained bleeding or bruising
4. unexplained weight loss
5. an unusual lump or swelling anywhere on your body
6. a new mole or changes to a mole
7. skin changes or a sore that won’t heal
8. croaky voice, hoarseness or a cough that won’t go away
9. mouth or tongue ulcer that lasts longer than three weeks
10. coughing up blood
11. difficulty swallowing
12. breathlessness
13. persistent heartburn or indigestion
14. unusual changes to the size, shape, or feel of a breast, of chest, including nipple or skin changes
15. persistent bloating
16. appetite loss
17. a change in bowel habits such as constipation, looser poo or pooing more often
18. blood in your poo
19. unexpected vaginal bleeding, including after sex, between periods or after the menopause
20. blood in your pee
21. problems peeing

If you spot anything that isn’t normal for you, you should get it checked out, whether it’s on the list or not, the experts add.

Cancer can affect anyone at any age, so it’s important to always listen to your body, they state.