Genetic link and physical appearance?

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Lavender250
Lavender250 Member Posts: 187
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

Sorry - couldn't exactly pinpoint how to word my subject.

I was wondering if anyone knew if women were at higher risk to inherit a "cancer gene" if they physically look like a close relative that had cancer? More specifically, breast cancer. People who look like their mother or father might have all or most of their genes. But obviously there's no scientific link and it's not even a consideration in a risk assessment. I just didn't know what you all thought.

Thanks!

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited August 2011

    You get equal numbers of genes from each parent.  Resemblance has more to do with dominance/recessiveness than numbers.

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  • lindiA
    lindiA Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2011
    Good info! I was doing some search and i happen to come across your page. Just thought i should share to you guys the latest news about this topic since we are talking about the same dilemma. While not as widespread in males, it is a healthcare fact that men can get breast cancer. While male breast tissue isn't quite as complex and customized as female mammary glands, malignant tumors can still grow in the breast and then metastasize in various parts of the male body. That doesn't make things any simpler for Raymond Johnson, 26. He has breast cancer, and Medicaid has declined protection.

    Article Source: S.C. man denied breast cancer coverage by Medicaid

    I couldn't believe that these medic people wouldn't cover his illness just because he's a man! He's got breast cancer for crying out loud! People nowadays can be so sexist. Breast Cancer is a serious issue indeed. I've met people with such condition and it's really hard for them to cope. The important thing is that we should be aware of this, and we should help each other in any way possible. We should all be willing to help, each of us should fight for a cause, men and women alike.

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  • slousha
    slousha Member Posts: 312
    edited August 2011

    Hi Lavender250

    My aunt, father's sister, has had BC 30 years ago. Of us 3 sisters only I was looking like she. Getting BC in 2009 my sisters were afraid, but I said they shouldn't be because they are  like the mum. Now I'm very sad being informed, my little 15 years younger sister got BC too...

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