Genetic testing is key to cancer prevention for men | Opinion

For most of my life, I thought cancer prevention for men was straightforward: don’t smoke, eat a healthy diet, exercise, manage stress and get regular medical checkups. I assumed genetic testing for inherited cancer risk was relevant only to women — specifically breast and ovarian cancer — and not to me.

I was wrong.

You’ve probably heard of the BRCA gene mutation, which significantly increases the risk for breast and ovarian cancer. What you may not know is that BRCA mutations also increase the risk for prostate and pancreatic cancer, as well as malignant melanoma. And while it’s rarely discussed, men can also get breast cancer.

Like many Ashkenazi Jews, I was aware of BRCA because of its disproportionate impact on our community. But it never occurred to me that I could be among the roughly 1 in 40 people who carry the mutation. I learned this almost by accident after taking an early at-home genetic test, more out of curiosity about my ancestry than my health.

This lack of awareness is common among men and extends well beyond BRCA. Men are less likely to be offered genetic testing, seek it out or act on the results. While women often grow up with clear expectations around preventive screenings tied to age and life stages, men generally do not.

In my experience, unless we are sick or in pain, many men avoid health care altogether. But preventing cancer requires a far more proactive approach.

The health care system contributes to this gap. Even today, most educational materials about hereditary cancer risk focus almost exclusively on women, sending a subtle but persistent message that men don’t need to pay attention. But we do. Attention leads to knowledge, and knowledge creates the opportunity to act.

Of course, knowledge also comes with responsibility. Learning that you carry a genetic mutation raises complicated questions, not only for yourself but for your family. A BRCA mutation, for example, means there is a 50% chance that close relatives may also carry it.

Talking about genetic risk isn’t easy, but in my experience, these conversations — while uncomfortable — are ultimately valuable and empowering.

Some men feel guilt after learning they passed a genetic mutation on to their children. But guilt implies intent, and none of us chose our genes. What we can choose is how we respond once we know.

After adjusting to my new reality, I chose action over anxiety. I make sure my health care providers are aware of my genetic risk. I undergo more frequent and targeted screenings and participate in high-risk programs and clinical trials designed for men with inherited cancer risk. There are no guarantees, but these steps dramatically improve the odds of detecting cancer early, when treatment is most effective.

There is no single “right” approach to genetic testing. It’s a personal decision, and what works for me may not work for others. What should be universal, however, is awareness. Men need to be more informed and more engaged in conversations about genetic risk and cancer prevention.

Learning that I carry a genetic mutation has had a surprisingly positive impact on my life. It connected me to a community of men who are informed, proactive and living full lives. Through organizations like Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered, I’ve seen how knowledge can replace fear with clarity and purpose.

February is National Cancer Prevention Month. It’s a moment to remember how cancer prevention isn’t about certainty, it’s about preparation.

For men, genetic testing deserves a more prominent place in the conversation. Knowledge, paired with action, can and often does save lives.

Bradley W. Hertz is an attorney, husband, father, hereditary cancer previvor and Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered volunteer living in Los Angeles.