There has been a lot of debate about cancer being hereditary or a lifestyle cause. It is now clear that most cancers result from one's lifestyle. However, experts suggest that a small percentage (5-10%) of cancers are due to hereditary reasons, i.e. are transferred to the child from either the mother or the father. The cancers inherited from one's parents can be transferred to future generations. However, the cancers that develop over one's life cycle are not transmitted.