parents denotes the highest risk. Two E2 variants are protective, and
other combinations fall in between. But even in the worst-case
scenario, Brendish tells Newsmax, “It’s not definitively saying I’m going to get dementia.” Statistically, if the test shows
the highest risk, the odds of getting dementia by age 85 are between 30% and 55%. “But that’s also a 45% to 70% chance I am not going to get it,” she points out. Genetic mutations that underlie
early onset Alzheimer’s, before age 65, are a different set of genes. And heredity plays a role in only 5%-10% of early onset cases. Testing of APOE genes is not
recommended for healthy people. “It’s a susceptibility genetic test
to determine possibilities,” says Brendish. “Just because I inherit the high-risk marker from my father and/ or my mother doesn’t mean I’m going to have Alzheimer’s disease.” The tests can be helpful, she
says, “if somebody’s already at risk because of other underlying issues that they’re having, with memory or thinking, and that’s been diagnosed by a neurologist.” In those situations, and
where someone has already been diagnosed with dementia, APOE tests can help a neurologist to make treatment decisions.
HELPFUL OR HARMFUL? When healthy people decide they want to get APOE genes tested, it’s usually because there’s a history of dementia in their family, says Dani Cabral, M.D., a brain aging specialist, neurologist, psychiatrist, and founder and medical director of BrainLove. The results can have a positive or negative effect. Among healthy people who
discover they have high-risk genes, she tells Newsmax, “I’ve seen numerous people have positive lifestyle improvements with their exercise and their diet, getting
Although BRCA mutations are best known for increasing the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, they are also associated with higher risks of prostate and pancreatic cancers, and possibly melanoma.
cardiovascular risk factors under control, and getting their hearing loss treated.” But for other healthy people,
learning that their genes increase risk for Alzheimer’s can intensify preexisting anxiety or depression, says Cabral, sometimes even triggering suicidal thoughts. “It’s really important that people understand the limitations of this information,” she says, and adds, “It’s not a death sentence.”
CANCER RISK The BRCA1 (BReast CAncer gene 1) and BRCA2 (BReast CAncer gene 2) genes are among the best-known inherited cancer-risk genes, but they’re often misunderstood. Everyone — both women and men
— inherits two copies of each gene, one from each parent. Under normal circumstances,
BRCA1 and BRCA2 help repair damaged DNA, protecting cells from changes that can lead to cancer. A harmful mutation in just one
copy of either gene can significantly increase the risk of several cancers. These mutations are most often inherited from a parent, although cancers can also develop from genetic mutations that occur during a person’s lifetime. Genetic testing can determine
whether someone carries an inherited BRCA mutation. For people with a BRCA mutation,
doctors may recommend earlier and more frequent cancer screening, medications to reduce risk, or preventive surgery, depending on the individual’s age, family history, and personal risk factors. Although BRCA mutations
are best known for increasing the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, they are also associated with higher risks of prostate and pancreatic cancers, and possibly melanoma.
FAMILY HISTORY When evaluating inherited cancer risk, doctors look for patterns in your family history. “The most concerning histories
are going to be people that are developing cancer in every generation,” says Brendish. The cancers don’t have to be the
same type, nor do they have to follow a direct line from grandparent to parent to child. For example, a pattern involving
your paternal grandmother, your father’s sister, and your father could still suggest an inherited cancer syndrome. A family history that spans three
generations is especially concerning. If multiple relatives in successive generations have been diagnosed with cancer, you or your children may have inherited a genetic mutation that increases cancer risk. Lifestyle and environmental
factors also play a major role. Excess alcohol use, obesity, tobacco use, excessive sun exposure, and chronic inflammation — including inflammation caused by some long- term viral or bacterial infections — can all increase cancer risk. Overall, says Brendish, “Only 5%-10% of cancers are inherited.”
OCTOBER 2026 | NEWSMAX MAXLIFE 89
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