CancerCompass message board discussion started by thebigC on 5/2/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23659,0.htm Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My sister-in-law was just recently diagnosed with lung cancer, and it baffles us because she doesn't smoke, nor anyone close to her does.  So its very difficult to accept it because we don't know how she got it. I remembered that my father-in-law died of colon cancer, but that was colon cancer while my sis got lung cancer.  Is it possible for a person to inherit a cancer in a different form? Tnx. thebigC Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT There is a common gene in lung, breast, colon and prostrate cancer.  It is called the BRCA1 gene and it can easily be tested for.  The problem with the test is if you find you carry it, you will spend the rest of your life thinking that every little pain or illness is cancer!!!  The bigger problem is that if you find you carry the gene, obtaining health insurance can become difficult as you'd have a 'pre existing condition.'There are many websites that discuss the advantages of testing for this gene.Hope this information helps.Stacey AngelwithAttitude Sat, 03 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT