Cancer can be caused by mutations. genetic analysis of a tumor found in a patient we shall call anna shows that the cell proliferation was triggered by a somatic mutation in the myc gene, causing this gene to be inappropriately activated. anna is concerned about passing this cancer on to the children she plans to have in the future. should she be concerned? no, she should not worry about her children because this did not occur in a germ-line cell. yes, she should worry because tumor growth was triggered by a genetic change, and mutations are passed on through cell divisions. no, this is not something to worry about because mutations in cancer cells cannot be passed on in cell division.