Is uterine cancer hereditary?
Certain genes have been linked to the development of uterine cancer through intensive research. In the presence of the so-called HNPCC syndrome (Hereditary-Non-Polyposis-Colon–Cancer-Syndrome), there is, in addition to the increased probability of the occurrence of other forms of cancer, also an increased probability of developing uterine cancer during the course of life. Carriers of this gene variant have a 50% probability of passing on the syndrome to their offspring. This does not mean, however, that the presence of these gene variants is a definite sign of uterine cancer. Likewise, the absence of the gene variant does not mean that no uterus cancer can develop.
Vaccination
There is currently no vaccination that can help against the development of uterine cancer. Although vaccination against HPV (human papilloma viruses) can indirectly protect against the development of cervical tumors, it does not guarantee protection against the development of uterine cancer. In general, the two forms of cancer are very different from each other and colonization with a human papilloma virus has not been associated with the development of cervical cancer.
Even though no vaccination or other preventive measures are known to date that can safely protect against the development of uterine cancer, medical research may well change this. The vaccination against the human papilloma virus, which can protect against the development of cervical cancer, has only been available since 2006.
