Types of Genetic Disorders

Cancer and Genes

Cancer is often linked to mutations in genes that control cell growth and division, although not all cancers are inherited.

There are two important types of genes involved:

  • Oncogenes – when activated incorrectly, they cause cells to grow too fast.
  • Tumour suppressor genes – normally slow down cell growth; when damaged, they may allow cancer to develop.

Mutations in genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 can significantly increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. For this reason, genetic testing is often recommended for people with a family history of these cancers (NHGRI, 2024).