Is Lung Cancer Hereditary?
Lung cancer is usually caused by smoking or exposure to other toxins like asbestos, not through a family history. However, some genetic mutations can make someone more likely to develop lung cancer. Understanding genetic risk factors and available tests could help you manage your health more effectively.
Does Lung Cancer Run in Families?
Yes, lung cancer can run in families. The European Journal of Cancer found that people who have a parent or sibling with lung cancer may face a 50% higher risk of developing the disease themselves.
Researchers believe this increased risk is driven by a combination of inherited genetic traits and shared environmental exposures. Lung cancer is most often caused by carcinogens, with inherited genetics only responsible for a small percentage of cases.
You may be more likely to get lung cancer if you inhale:
- Air pollution
- Asbestos
- Chemicals like silica
- Diesel exhaust
- Radon gas
- Secondhand smoke
- Tobacco smoke
People with specific genetic variations may be more likely to develop lung cancer if exposed to one or more of the toxins listed above.
Genetic family history does play a role, but not a big one. In fact, most lung cancer patients have no known inherited genetic predisposition. The hereditary component is more often discussed among nonsmokers, where genetic issues may have played a larger role in their diagnosis.
Get a Free Lung Cancer Guide now to explore support options if you or a loved one has been recently diagnosed.
- Understand risk factors
- Find top treatments
- Pursue compensation
What Type of Lung Cancer Is Hereditary?
There is no single type of lung cancer that is hereditary. Instead, inherited gene variants may increase a person’s risk of getting lung cancer rather than directly cause the disease.
Signs that your genetics may increase your lung cancer risk include:
- Diagnosis at a younger age than is typical
- Lung cancer in loved ones with little or no smoking history
- Lung cancer occurring across several generations of your family
- Multiple immediate relatives diagnosed with lung cancer
“Approximately 8% of lung cancers are inherited or occur as a result of a genetic predisposition.”
— Oncology Letter Journal
Even when genetics increase a person’s risk of lung cancer, carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) like smoke and asbestos are arguably more important factors. Most lung cancers develop after years of exposure to carcinogens.
Genetic Risk Factors for Lung Cancer
Inherited mutations increase lung cancer risk by affecting how the body repairs damaged DNA or controls abnormal cell growth.
When someone is exposed to cigarette smoke, radon, or asbestos on top of having a gene mutation, they could be at a greater risk of lung cancer as a result.
These genetic mutations are linked to an increased risk of lung cancer:
- ATM mutations: Inherited ATM mutations can impair the body’s ability to detect and repair DNA damage, potentially increasing the risk of lung cancer.
- BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations: Although best known for their association with breast and ovarian cancers, these also make people 1.8 times more likely to develop lung cancer.
- CHEK2 mutations: CHEK2 helps prevent cancer, but inherited mutations can make you more likely to get cancer.
- EGFR mutations: Rare inherited variants, such as EGFR T790M, are associated with lung cancer, especially among nonsmokers.
- TP53 mutations: These mutations cause Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a rare inherited disorder that significantly increases the risk of multiple cancers, including lung cancer.
Even when genetic risk factors are present, they do not guarantee that someone will get lung cancer. Most inherited mutations increase susceptibility rather than directly cause the disease.
Smoking and airborne pollutants remain the biggest causes of lung cancer, which is why avoiding tobacco products and limiting exposure to known carcinogens are among the most effective ways to reduce risk.
Download a Free Lung Cancer Guide today to learn more about risk factors.
- Understand risk factors
- Find top treatments
- Pursue compensation
Genetic Tests to Consider for Lung Cancer
Genetic testing can identify inherited mutations that may increase your risk of lung cancer. Your doctor could recommend hereditary genetic testing to look at your DNA before or after a diagnosis.
Several types of genetic testing for lung cancer risks are available:
- Germline testing: A genetic test that analyzes your blood or saliva to look for DNA mutations linked to lung cancer.
- Whole-exome sequencing: An in-depth analysis of all present genetic mutations in your DNA that could increase your susceptibility to numerous types of cancers.
- Whole-genome sequencing: Genetic testing that looks at all coding sequences in your DNA for risk factors that could make lung cancer more likely.
Genetic testing cannot help you know for sure if you’ll develop lung cancer, but it can help identify risk factors that may warrant increased screening or closer monitoring. It’s often recommended for the most at-risk individuals.
Is Mesothelioma Hereditary?
Lung cancer and mesothelioma are sometimes mistaken for one another, but in reality, they are two separate cancers — and mesothelioma is generally not considered hereditary.
Mesothelioma forms in the lining of organs (typically the lungs), and the only known cause is asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a group of durable silicate materials that are resistant to chemicals, heat, and fire, so companies use it to manufacture numerous products.
People with the BAP 1 gene, which can be inherited, could be more likely to develop mesothelioma, but only if they were exposed to asbestos first. Testing can clarify your genetic risk.
Get Guidance About Lung Cancer Risks and Next Steps
Understanding your genetic risk for lung cancer can feel overwhelming. While genetic testing and screenings can provide clarity, the right next step depends on your family medical history, if you smoked, and if you were exposed to asbestos or other carcinogens.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with lung cancer or you’re concerned about your risk, Lung Cancer Group may be able to help.
Our team members could help you:
- Find the top lung cancer doctors close to home
- Compare support options for yourself or your family
- Learn about the best lung cancer treatments
- Seek financial compensation if eligible
Call us at (877) 446-5767 or get our Free Lung Cancer Guide to determine whether further testing, medical reviews, or legal support may be appropriate based on your situation.
Written by:Lung Cancer GroupLung Cancer Group was established by a team of caring advocates so those with lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases can get the help they deserve. Our site provides the most accurate and up-to-date information about lung cancer, its link to asbestos, and financial compensation available to patients. Contact us to learn more and get assistance.
