• Question: do cancer cells from a person who has cancer, pass on to the offspring?

    Asked by ineedchocolate to Chris, Kay, Kerstin, Lorna, Liv on 16 Mar 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Kerstin Zechner

      Kerstin Zechner answered on 16 Mar 2010:

      I think Kay might be able to answer this better than I, since I think she does cancer research. However, I think it has been shown to be possible, but it is extremely rare.

    • Photo: Kay Penicud

      Kay Penicud answered on 16 Mar 2010:

      No, this doesn’t happen. For that too happen the sperm or egg would have to be a cancer cell – but this doesn’t happen.

      However, you can inherit faulty copies of genes (cellular instructions) from your parents. This can make you more likely to develop cancer. But the cells themselves don’t get passed on.

    • Photo: Olivia Hibbitt

      Olivia Hibbitt answered on 17 Mar 2010:

      Hey! I needchocolate too!!!

      This depends! A small percentage of cancer is caused by mutations that are inherited….so mistakes in DNA that are passed on to offspring. Most cancer is not though and happens as we age and our cells divide more and more increasing the chances of mistakes happening.

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