Genetic testing is usually only available if someone in your family has a known genetic mutation (gene change) that is known to cause an increased cancer risk.

Different types of cancers can be associated with one genetic mutation e.g. mutations in BRCA1 can cause breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, pancreatic cancer and/or colon cancer in women.

If you know your family history (types of cancers and the relation to you) your GP can do an assessment of risk to let you know if you do have an increased risk, or whether the cancers are most likely not linked and therefore your risk would just be the same as population risk. If you have an increased risk, you can get a referral to a genetic counsellor.

Ways of lowering your risk are things we should all do anyway, no smoking, eat well, lots of fibre etc, exercise, wear sunscreen.....