| A number of researchers have looked at how to | | | | with information going back to the early 1800s. While |
| know if you have brain cancer as regards the factor | | | | there have been earlier studies that suggested there |
| of heredity. Is the likelihood of having or getting brain | | | | was a hereditary relationship, this study effectively |
| cancer higher if someone in your family has it? One | | | | eliminated the shared environment possibility as the |
| problem with trying to substantiate a genetic | | | | cause. The study showed as much as a 4 times |
| relationship with brain cancer is separating out the | | | | greater risk of contracting the disease if one has a |
| genetic connection from the fact that the persons | | | | family history of brain cancer. |
| are also in the same environment, especially if they | | | | After considering the results of the study it makes it |
| are immediate family. | | | | that much more important to tell your doctor if there |
| Doctors have long agreed that the risk of getting | | | | is any known brain cancer in your relatives or |
| breast, colon and prostate cancers did have a | | | | anywhere in your family history. While a family |
| relationship to a person's family history of such | | | | history of cancer in no way means you have it or will |
| cancers. A study last year by the University of Utah | | | | get it, it can guide you and your doctor to take |
| and Tel Aviv University looked at family histories that | | | | precautionary steps to prevent onset of the disease. |
| went back 3 to 10 generations. Researchers have | | | | As well it could result in early detection if you indeed |
| concluded that there is a hereditary correlation with | | | | do have it which medical experts agree is extremely |
| brain cancer and that persons with a family history of | | | | valuable. Cancer treatment and cure has a much |
| the cancer are at higher risk of getting the disease | | | | higher success rate in persons in which the cancer |
| themselves. The records of 1500 people were used | | | | was detected early. |