Hello and thanks for posting

I’m really sorry to read about the sudden loss of your dad, from lung cancer, and I appreciate you wanting some clarity about the genetic tests he likely had, and whether any of them might have implications for you and your sister.

You dad's medical team are better placed to advise you on this as they will have access to all his medical details. But the genetic tests were most likely tumour biomarker tests used to guide lung cancer treatment (e.g., EGFR, ALK, ROS1, KRAS, etc.). These are standard for non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).and you can read more about these biomarker tests on our website.

Only 5–10% of all cancers are caused by inherited gene changes, and lung cancer is rarely hereditary. Even though your dad and grandfather both had this cancer, this does not automatically suggest an inherited cancer link. Most lung cancers are due to environmental factors like smoking and exposure. You can read more about the risks and causes  on our website

Having one or more of these risk factors doesn't mean that a person will definitely develop lung cancer.

The majority of cancers happen randomly. A person's risk of developing cancer is due to a combination of our genes, our environment and things to do with our lifestyle, which we are more able to control. Cancer is quite a common disease, 1 in 2 people develop it eventually but mostly in old age. So having relatives with cancer in the family isn't unusual and doesn't necessarily mean that their cancer is hereditary. This is quite a complicated topic and it might be useful to look at our section explaining genes and inherited cancer risk.

To have NHS genetic testing, your GP must have a strong reason to believe there is a hereditary condition that could be passed on. Eligibility depends on factors such as family history, age at diagnosis, and the types of cancers involved. Testing isn’t usually offered unless these criteria are met. So do speak to your GP about this when you can.

The best thing we can all do is to be aware of our body and if we notice any unusual signs or symptoms to get checked out by the GP. There are also lifestyle factors that we can all follow to help reduce our risk of developing cancer.

I hope this is of some help. Give us a ring if you would like to talk anything over. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Kind regards,

Celene

Thank you Celene for your comforting, prompt and informative reply. It is much appreciated.