Your Dad’s Family History Could Affect Your Cancer Risk
When you think about inherited cancer risk, you might instinctively focus on your mom’s side of the family. It’s common. Many of us grow up with more access to maternal health history or are conditioned to associate “women’s health” with what we inherit from our mothers. But when it comes to genetic risk for cancer, your father’s side matters just as much.
Genetics Don’t Play Favorites
Every person inherits half of their DNA from each parent. This means mutations that increase cancer risk—such as those in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes—can be passed down from either your mother or your father. A father who carries a BRCA mutation might not develop breast or ovarian cancer himself, but he can still pass that mutation to his children.
In fact, families with strong histories of cancer on the father’s side can go undetected for generations because the red flags may not be obvious. Men might have fewer routine screenings or may not discuss their health in detail, which allows risk patterns to slip through the cracks.
Hidden Clues on the Paternal Side
If your dad or any of his relatives had cancer—especially at a young age or involving rare types like male breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, or prostate cancer—those cases are worth digging into. Pay attention to these:
- Male relatives with breast cancer
- Prostate cancer diagnoses, especially under age 60
- Multiple relatives on your father’s side with any kind of cancer
- Recurring cancers across generations
- Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, which comes with a higher prevalence of certain BRCA mutations
Even cancers that may seem unrelated at first, like melanoma or pancreatic cancer, can be part of hereditary cancer syndromes. So if your dad’s family history includes these, it may be time to get a risk assessment.
Genetic Testing and Why It’s Relevant
Too often, women with a known family history on their father’s side are told they’re “not eligible” for genetic testing or insurance won’t cover it. That’s outdated thinking. Current guidelines recommend testing if there’s a known mutation in the family or if cancer patterns on either side suggest inherited risk.
A test doesn’t just give you answers—it helps your entire family. If you carry a mutation, your siblings, cousins, children, and even your father himself may benefit from knowing.
How to Start the Conversation
Talking about cancer can be uncomfortable, especially with relatives who don’t like discussing health. But it’s worth it. Ask your dad:
- Has anyone in your family had cancer?
- What kind, and at what age?
- Has anyone ever had genetic testing?
- Do we have any relatives with multiple cancers or unusual diagnoses?
If he doesn’t know, see if any aunts, uncles, or older relatives can help you fill in the gaps. Even partial information is useful.
If you’re building a picture of your cancer risk, don’t leave half the canvas blank. Your father’s medical history is just as critical as your mother’s. Understanding it may be the reason you catch something early or get ahead of it altogether.
