Medical experts clarify cancer and kidney disease inheritance and risks

Medical experts have clarified that cancer is not directly inherited from parents to children. According to dr. Ditia Gilang Shah Putra Rahim from IPB University, while cancer itself is not passed down, specific gene mutations that increase vulnerability can be transmitted through eggs or sperm. For example, inheriting a mutation in the BRCA1 tumor suppressor gene does not guarantee a person will develop cancer, as the second copy of the gene may still function to repair damaged DNA.

Cancers are categorized into three groups: hereditary (linked to inherited gene mutations), familial (tending to appear in families), and sporadic (unrelated to inherited mutations). Risk assessments should consider factors such as the age of diagnosis and family cancer patterns.

Additionally, health experts warn that kidney function decline is a growing concern for young people, especially those with risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity. Early symptoms of kidney dysfunction, such as changes in urination patterns, are often subtle and may be overlooked even when the organ's ability to filter waste and balance electrolytes is compromised.