Plan to Prevent or Reduce Cancer

Turned out the cancer came along and you don't let it get you down, you don't let it beat you.

>> David "Doc" Livingston, had both bladder and prostrate cancer.

His dad, uncle and brother all died from lymphatic and prostrate cancer leading him to DNA testing out of concerns for his own two sons.

What Doc didn't know was that women in his family could also be at risk.

Researchers say inherited cancers cross genders.

>> For example BRCA2 the second breast cancer gene can lead to increase increased risk of prostate cancer in men.

And if a woman inherits a mutation in those genes, increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer for women.

>> This insight into the underlying genetic cause of prostate cancer may ultimately shape the treatment, management, and screening of patients.

>> We expect that it's actually going to inform even earlier stage disease for prostate cancer as well.

>> When it comes to cancer detection, researchers say, the earlier the better.

>> So for example if a man is in a family that has a BRCA2 mutation and he has inherited that mutation whether it's from his father or from his mother, he would be recommended to start prostate cancer screening at a younger age.

>> David says it's potentially life-saving information that makes the testing process all worthwhile.

>> That's nothing compared to what the suffering that so many people have with the different types of cancers that are out there.