Who Should Consider Genetic Testing

Who should consider genetic testing? 3 min read Hereditary Cancer Genetic testing is very helpful in unlocking the inner workings of a person’s genome makeup. None more so then helping to identify inherited mutations in cancer genes. GenomeSmart defines the potential of genetic testing to help you make informed decisions. Who should consider genetic testing? Genetic testing is used to identify inherited mutations in cancer susceptibility genes. It is generally done using a spit(saliva) test or cheek swab. Important factors to consider before undergoing genetic testing include personal or family history of cancer and ancestry (Ashkenazi Jewish in particular). What if I have a personal history of cancer? This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more Got it!

Testing is essential in helping make well-informed decisions about both treating cancer and preventing disease for patients and their families. Cancer patients who test positive can be vigilant for other related cancers and their doctors may use the information to offer targeted treatments. Testing can also help identify at-risk family members. Those with a positive test can watch more carefully for disease, while those who test negative can be reassured and follow general screening recommendations. If you have already been diagnosed with cancer, should you do additional testing? Not all cancer patients need hereditary cancer testing. The decision to test depends on family history, individual cancer history, and ethnicity. Some diagnosed patients undergo tumor testing to identify gene changes in the tumor. These can predict the individual’s prognosis and can help identify the best course of treatment. However, tumor testing would not indicate if the cancer is hereditary but it can give clues or raise flags which may lead to additional genetic testing. What if I have a family history of cancer? Family history is an important element in deciding whether to get genetic testing for a hereditary cancer. If cancer runs in your family (among parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins, going back X generations), genetic testing might provide you with useful information about your risk of also getting cancer someday. It can also ease your mind if you did not inherit a particular mutation related to cancer. Considering relatives from the same side of the family (at a time) is important while determining risk for developing a hereditary cancer. The risk of hereditary cancer is higher if relatives from same side of the family have been diagnosed with: Related or similar cancers, Multiple cancers, or Cancer at a relatively early age (before age 50)

GenomeSmart can help you learn if you have relevant personal and/or family history and need to consider genetic testing. Types of hereditary cancer Following are some of the types of hereditary cancer syndromes that researchers have found are related to specific genetic mutations. Remember, testing positive is not a guarantee you’ll get the disease, but may increase the risk. Genes most commonly implicated Id Syndrome Related cancer types: Hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer syndrome BRCA1, BRCA2 Breast (male and female), Ovarian, Prostate, Pancreatic 1 Breast, Soft tissue sarcoma, Osteosarcoma, Leukemia, Brain tumors, Adrenocortical carcinoma Li-Fraumeni syndrome 2 TP53 Cowden syndrome 3 PTEN Breast, Thyroid, Endometrial MSH2, MLH1, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM Colorectal, Endometrial, Ovarian, Renal pelvis, Pancreatic, Small intestine, Liver and biliary tract, Stomach, Brain, Breast 4 Lynch syndrome Familial adenomatous polyposis Colorectal cancer, Small intestine cancer, Brain cancer, Stomach cancer, Bone cancer, Skin cancer 5 APC GenomeSmart can empower you with understanding of genetic tests. Use that information to talk with a health care professional and your family to

Who Should Consider Genetic Testing