<p>Gastric cancer usually affects people over 60 and carries a poor prognosis because diagnosis typically occurs at an advanced stage. Recently, researchers have found a rare form of gastric cancer caused by the inheritance of a faulty gene, termed hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC). This form of cancer tends to strike at a much earlier age and mortality rates are high. Thus, even though HDGC affects a small percentage of people, the involvement of the cancer genetics service is essential to enable an accurate assessment of risk and to discuss the options for screening, possible genetic testing and potential treatments.</p>