Adult family members of someone with a faulty ATM gene can have genetic testing to check who has the faulty gene and who does not. Their doctor can refer them to a genetic service to find out more about their chance of developing cancer and what genetic testing involves.
If a person does have the faulty ATM gene:
- they can pass it on to their children
- each child has a 50% (1 in 2) chance of being born with it. Pregnancy planning options are available to people who want to prevent the faulty gene from being passed on.
If a person does not have the faulty ATM gene:
- they have the same chance of developing cancer as the general population (unless there are other factors that increase this risk)
- they cannot pass it on to their children.
If both parents (mother and father) in a couple have a faulty ATM gene, they have a 25% (1 in 4) chance each pregnancy of having a child with ataxia-telangiectasia. For more information see 'Facts for people from a family with a faulty ATM gene who are planning a pregnancy' – eviq.org.au/p/3968.
People who decide not to have genetic testing should still get advice about managing their chance of developing cancer. |