Are All Cancers Genetic? The Real Story Behind Your Risk

September 1, 2025

Cancer has a reputation for ‘running in the family.’ If a close relative has faced a diagnosis, you’re right to wonder if genetics puts you next in line.

Still, asking, ‘Is cancer genetic?’ only scratches the surface of what really determines your chances.

Research from the National Cancer Institute indicates that only 5 to 10% of all cancers are linked to inherited genetic mutations. For the vast majority of people, cancer risk is shaped more by daily habits and environmental exposures than by DNA.

So yes, cancer can be genetic. But it’s an exception, not the norm.

Let’s clear up what’s truly inherited, what’s not, and how a program like Longevity Life+ helps you take charge with holistic cancer prevention and early action.

What Does “Hereditary Cancer” Mean?

To qualify as hereditary cancer, a disease must be caused by a mutation in your DNA that you received directly from your parents. These are present from birth and exist in every cell of your body.

Some of the most widely recognized hereditary mutations include:

BRCA1 and BRCA2: Linked with a higher risk of breast, ovarian, prostate, and some other cancers.
MLH1, MSH2, and MSH6: Increase the odds for colon, endometrial, and several other cancers.
TP53 (Li-Fraumeni Syndrome): A rare condition that raises the likelihood of multiple cancer types across a lifetime

Even if you carry a known mutation, it doesn’t mean you will get cancer; just that your risk is higher. Women with a BRCA1 mutation face a lifetime breast cancer risk of up to 72%, compared to about 13% for the average woman.

If you have a close relative diagnosed with a cancer type known for hereditary links (like breast, ovarian, or colon), it’s worth talking to your doctor or a genetic counselor about testing. Knowing your risk gives you more options to reduce it or detect cancer at an earlier stage.

Hereditary vs Sporadic Cancer: The Real Numbers

Genetic testing can feel like a lifeline or a burden, depending on the results. However, around 90 to 95% of all cancer cases are not hereditary.

A negative genetic test doesn’t put you out of the woods. It only means:

You don’t carry known high-risk mutations
You may still have variants of unknown significance (mutations that haven’t yet been linked to cancer risk)
You’re still exposed to all the same causes of cancer as anyone else.

Sporadic cancers (those not caused by inherited mutations) arise when healthy cells accumulate DNA damage throughout life. The damage builds up from what you eat, breathe, and drink, as well as the habits you form.

What Causes Cancer if Not Genetics?

DNA damage is the root of all cancers, but how that damage happens is what sets hereditary vs sporadic cancer apart. For most people, everyday choices and exposures are the main drivers.

A few major lifestyle and environmental causes of cancer include:

Tobacco use
Obesity and poor diet
Alcohol consumption
Lack of physical activity
UV radiation
Infections like HPV or hepatitis
Exposure to certain chemicals or toxins

For example, according to the American Cancer Society, tobacco use alone accounts for about 80% of lung cancer cases.

You can’t control your genetics, but you can change your environment, habits, and how closely you monitor your health. Holistic cancer prevention addresses all the risk factors, not just the ones written in your DNA.

People who follow cancer prevention guidelines (healthy diet, regular exercise, no smoking, low alcohol) lower their lifetime cancer risk by up to 30-50% compared to those who don’t. These habits matter even more if you carry a hereditary mutation.

How Longevity Life+ Moves You From “At Risk” to “In Control”

Longevity Life+ is a comprehensive cancer-genomics and precision health membership program. It’s designed for people who want to understand their cancer risk, detect it early, and make more informed health decisions—whether cancer runs in their family or not.

By combining genetic insights with lifestyle support and expert guidance, Longevity Life+ helps make sure you’re covered on all fronts.

Your membership will include:

1. DNA Testing

Longevity Life+ offers comprehensive DNA testing to screen for inherited cancer risk. Your report is delivered in plain language, so you’ll understand what your genetic profile says, how it connects to your family history, and what you can do about it.

2. Genetic Counseling

If your test reveals any areas of concern, or even if you just want guidance, a certified genetic counselor can walk you through it. They’ll help you interpret your results and create a plan for your situation. You’re never left to figure things out alone.

3. Oncology Nurse Navigation

Should cancer ever enter the picture, Longevity Life+ members get one-on-one support from oncology nurse navigators. They can coordinate care, answer questions, and help you make confident decisions every step of the way.

4. Comprehensive Cancer Genomic Profiling

While inherited mutations may explain some causes of cancer, many tumors develop their own genetic changes over time. With Longevity Life+, you get free genomic profiling tests to help analyze how your specific cancer formed, how aggressive it might be, and which treatments are likely to work best.

5. Access to Clinical Trials

You’ll also gain access to cutting-edge clinical trials, including treatments that aren’t available through standard care. This can be a lifeline for people with hard-to-treat cancers or those looking for more personalized options.

6. Lifestyle Support and Prevention Guidance

Lifestyle is one of the most underestimated pieces of cancer risk and also one of the most controllable. Longevity Life+ takes a holistic cancer prevention approach by helping you build practical, day-to-day habits that lower your risk over time.

The Importance of Early Detection

Catching cancer early is one of the best ways to improve your odds. For example, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the five-year survival rate for breast cancer is around 91% when detected at stage I. At stage IV, that rate drops to just 26%.

With colorectal cancer, early detection gives you a 91% survival rate, compared to only 15% if it’s found at a later stage.

Unfortunately, most cancers don’t announce themselves with early symptoms. Longevity Life+ equips you with the tools, tests, and support to act before symptoms show up, so you’re not reacting to a diagnosis, but getting ahead of it.

Cancer Is in More Than Your Genes

Let’s circle back to the question: Is cancer genetic?

Yes, but mostly in the scientific sense. All cancers come from changes in your DNA. However, only a small percentage of these conditions are inherited through families.

Longevity Life+ helps you understand both sides of the risk. It looks at your genes and gives you a plan for prevention through lifestyle support, expert guidance, and early detection tools.

Ready to take control of your cancer risk? Contact us today to learn more about our products and services. Your health isn’t a waiting game. Let’s put a plan in place today.