Cancer runs in my family. How can I cut my risk?
Cancer Center expert featured in New York Times article
The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center's Syed Ahmad was featured in a New York Times article discussing ways to reduce your risk of cancer when it runs in your family.
Ahmad said patients may be referred to a genetic specialist to check for gene changes that increase your risk if your doctor deems it necessary.
“A lot of times, patients are scared to go to a genetic counselor” because of “fear of the unknown,” said Ahmad, interim director of the Cancer Center, professor, Hayden Family Endowed Chair for Cancer Research, section chief of surgical oncology and vice chair for faculty development in the Department of Surgery in UC's College of Medicine.
Ahmad added that having genetic variants doesn't guarantee you will develop cancer. But common genes tested for include the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes if several family members have had breast cancer, or Lynch syndrome if multiple relatives have had colon cancer. Lynch syndrome is an inheritable genetic condition that can increase colon cancer risk by up to 80% for men and 60% for women.
Read the New York Times article.
Featured photo at top of Dr. Ahmad. Photo/University of Cincinnati Cancer Center.
Related Stories
Cincinnati records record rainfall in weekend deluge
July 21, 2026
The Cincinnati Enquirer talks to UC College of Engineering and Applied Science Associate Professor Patrick Ray for context about a July 17 rainstorm that dumped a record amount of rain on parts of Cincinnati.
Putting preschool into perspective
July 20, 2026
Preschool and childcare can be difficult to navigate for parents, as Spectrum News 1 Ohio recently reported. Waitlists are long, and factors like cost, location and transportation can limit options. According to a recent study published by The Annie E. Casey Foundation, only 41% of 3- to 4-year-olds in Ohio were enrolled in preschool between 2020 and 2024 — a 4% decrease from pre-pandemic numbers. For University of Cincinnati early childhood education faculty member Chad Nunamaker, that statistic has caveats.
Ticks that survive pesticides can withstand colder winters
July 17, 2026
Ticks that survive less-than-lethal doses of pesticide are able to withstand dangerous cold, which could help them expand their range farther north, according to researchers at the University of Cincinnati and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.