Hello and thanks for your post

I'm sorry that several of your relatives have died from cancer, and that your dad has recently been diagnosed with myeloma. I can understand you worrying about your risk of developing cancer.

When cancer is in the family, people often assume that this greatly increases their risk of developing it, but this isn't always so. The majority of cancers are sporadic which means that there is not a family link. Our risk of developing cancer is due to a combination of our genes, our environment and things to do with our lifestyle, for example smoking. There is also an element of chance or bad luck. 

Only a small number of cancers are caused by inherited faulty genes that significantly increase the risk of cancer. When these genes are in a family, usually several relatives on the same side of the family have the same type of cancer or cancers that develop at a younger than expected age.

Cancer is quite a common disease, 1 in 2 people develop it eventually, but mostly in old age. So having a relative(s) with cancer in the family isn't unusual and doesn't necessarily mean your risk of developing cancer is a lot higher than average. This is quite a complicated topic and it might be useful to look at our section explaining genes and inherited cancer risk at this link. 

If after reading the above information you are still worried you can discuss this with your GP. At the appointment you need to bring information about anyone in the family affected by cancer, their relationship to you and the age they were diagnosed. GP's follow clinical guidance that helps them understand who can be referred to a Family Cancer Genetics clinic at the hospital and have their risk assessed.

I hope this is of some help to you .Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Kind regards,

Celene