Scientists have discovered why some families are affected by many different types of cancer, thanks to genetic testing.

[JAMMY]

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Detecting mutations

They analysed the DNA sequence of 72 genes linked to increased cancer risk in 1,162 patients with sarcoma.

One in five patients was found to have mutations or errors in more than one of the cancer genes tested.

Patients with mutations in multiple cancer genes were found to be more likely to develop cancer at a younger age than those with just one single genetic mutation.

So this suggests that many genetic mutations working together could be causing sarcoma in some patients, rather than just a single gene error causing their disease.