What is Hereditary Cancer? Infographic. It's so much more than BRCA

With National Hereditary Cancer Week starting next week, I have attempted to make a simplified illustrated introduction to a very complex biological subject.

Please note: There are actually 280 babies illustrated in this graphic. I hope this helps to visually emphasize the fact that inherited genetic mutations that increase the risk of cancer are not that uncommon.

 

 

Hereditary Cancer Week starts Sunday 9/27/26. It’s so much more than BRCA.

This infographic can be downloaded at www.genetionary.org/cancer. Please pass it along. 

As with many of my projects, I again got the input of an assistant professor of clinical practice and medicine-medical oncology, certified genetic counselor, and fellow hereditary cancer advocate on this project. Thank you so much Michelle! 
 
For more detailed information, or if you have questions about your own hereditary cancer risk, please talk to your doctor and/or a certified genetic counselor.

Cancer Genesis Infographic

Everything about cancer is extremely complex. And what causes cancer varies enormously. But how it starts, while complicated, is always genetic in nature. This infographic is only intended to provide a very basic understanding of cancer genesis. For more detailed information, or if you have questions about your own cancer risk, please talk to your doctor and/or a certified genetic counselor.

Trying to explain hereditary cancer as an advocate is difficult. This is my humble attempt to explain it simply.

The infographic can be downloaded for sharing at www.genetionary.com/cancer

2026 Previvor Day Poster

Previvor Day is celebrated every year on the Wednesday of National Hereditary Cancer Week. National Hereditary Cancer Week is still several weeks away (Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, 2026), but in an effort to help raise awareness well ahead of time, here is this year’s poster. Download the poster and learn more about hereditary cancer and strategies for previvorship at www.genetionary.org

Hereditary Cancer Week is a yearly event that begins on the last Sunday in September. In 2010, Congress unanimously passed a resolution creating National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week and National Previvor Day. Since then, the week has been renamed National Hereditary Cancer Week to encompass all hereditary cancers.

If you have questions about your own hereditary cancer risk, please talk to your doctor and/or a certified genetic counselor.

All materials 100% human produced.

It's not Just BRCA: Hereditary Cancer Week Poster 2026

National Hereditary Cancer Week is still several weeks away (Sept. 27 - Oct 3, 2026), but an early start is needed. Why? Because there is information about dozens and dozens of genes associated with hereditary cancer to be shared and one week is hardly enough time.

Obviously, not all the genes can be shared. However, some of the more notable ones will be highlighted (in random order) every weekday starting next week. Some useful infographics will also be posted as well. The highlighted genes will be shared in posts on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/markix and Instagram at www.instagram.com/genetionary_org

To start, here’s one of this year’s Hereditary Cancer Week posters. It can be downloaded for sharing here: www.genetionary.org/HCW. 

Hereditary Cancer Week is a yearly event that begins on the last Sunday in September, with National Previvor Day being celebrated on the Wednesday of that week. In 2010, Congress unanimously passed a resolution creating National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week and National Previvor Day. Since then, the week has been renamed National Hereditary Cancer Week to encompass all hereditary cancers.

Please note: For more detailed information, or if you have questions about your own hereditary cancer risk, please talk to your doctor and/or a certified genetic counselor.

All materials 100% human produced.

What is Cancer?

It’s a horrible disease. (Actually, it’s one label for a group of many different horrible diseases). It touches almost everybody’s life in one way or another. Billions and billions and billions of dollars have been spent trying to fight it. Countless unscrupulous individuals hawk “cures” for it on social media. Corporations stage tone-deaf events around it to try and bolster their public image, or bottom line. But few understand the biological processes that give rise to it.


In an effort to help increase understanding and raise awareness, I teamed up with an assistant professor of clinical practice and medicine-medical oncology, certified genetic counselor, and fellow hereditary cancer advocate to create this basic explanation of cancer genesis. This 8.5x14 infographic poster can be downloaded for sharing at www.genetionary.org/cancer. 

Please pass it along.

The Political Press Conference I’d Like to See

In my hereditary cancer advocacy, I have interacted with several of my state politicians in person. But with important national legislation, I have only spoken with congressional aides. Seems many of our politicians think they are far too important to give even 5 minutes of time to a constituent concerning a serious subject like cancer research and care. Doesn't seem to matter that cancer is a subject that likely touches the life of almost every one of their constituents in one way or another.

The cartoon is a reminder that ALL American politicians are supposed to strive for the greater good. But sadly, that rarely happens.

Among my favorite Mark Twain quotes is this gem: “Diapers and politicians need to be changed often, and for the same reason.” Just something to keep in mind this election season.

What is a Previvor?

 

This infographic can be downloaded at genetionary.org