Categories
Questions

If there is a history of cancer in your family how often do you get screened ?

Screening for the cancers common in the general population in the UK is offered through national screening programmes. This is usually for breast cancer, bowel cancer, cervical cancer and prostate cancer. They are all done at different frequencies and ages depending on your family history and sometimes ethnicity.

It is important that you attend screening when recommended and do self checks.

If particular cancers are more common in your family or you have a higher personal risk your GP, family history nurse or genetic counsellor can work out what screening you should be having and how often. This may be as frequent as every year.

Sasha

Categories
Questions

What are the most common cancers likely to be found in people of African descent?

Breast and bowel cancer are two of the most common cancers to affect people of African descent in the UK. Prostate cancer is also a cancer common in men. The risk of prostate is doubled in men of African and Caribbean descent compared to men of European descent.

The risk of cancers can be different based on the country or population you are from. People of African descent in other parts of the world may have different risks.

Although breast, bowel and prostate cancer are not usually hereditary, they can be sometimes. You should talk your GP if you are worried they may run in your family.

Sasha