Is brain cancer hereditary?
On One Hand: Family History Influences RiskBrain cancer is not hereditary in the usual sense of the word, meaning that it is not passed directly through the generations. However, the Mayo Clinic reports that, rarely, people who have a family history of brain cancer have a higher risk of developing brain cancer.On the Other: Brain Cancer Has Other Risk FactorsOther risk factors for brain cancer include being white (although black people are more likely to develop a cancer called meningioma), being over 45, exposure to ionizing radiation (such as cancer treatment) as well as industrial chemical exposure, according to the Mayo Clinic.Bottom LineBrain cancer is not passed directly from parent to child, but some people may be more likely to develop brain cancer because of their family history.
