Can Blood Cancers Be Inherited?

Lachelle Weeks, MD, PhD, explains how 4-5% of blood cancers are caused by heritable conditions, meaning an abnormal gene is passed down within a family. Most blood cancers, however, are sporadic and occur by chance. For individuals with a strong family history of blood cancers, the Center for Early Detection and Interception of Blood Cancers at Dana-Farber provides personalized risk assessments and surveillance strategies to help mitigate risk. While there are no universal screening programs for blood cancers yet, efforts are underway to develop early detection methods. Want to learn more about blood cancer risk and prevention? Visit: https://www.dana-farber.org/cancer-care/treatment/early-detection-interception/blood-cancers