Cancer is a condition where some of the bodys cells grow and divide in a way that can be difficult to manage.

Typically, the growth and division of cells is tightly managed and there are many genes that regulate these processes.

When certain genetic changes occur within cells, the way that they grow and divide can become atypical and develop into cancer. There are several factors involved in genetic changes that may lead to developing cancer.

While environmental and lifestyle factors can lead to some of these changes, an individuals genetics also play an important role. Its possible to inherit some gene changes that increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer.

Genetic testing is available to help detect some of the genetic changes that can increase the risk of developing cancer. Keep reading to learn more about this testing, its potential benefits, and whos a good candidate.

Genetic testing is a tool that can be used to learn about inherited cancer risks. Some examples of cancers where specific genes appear to play a role in cancer risk include:

Other cancers where specific genes appear to play a role in cancer risk include some cancers of your:

Genetic testing looks for variations in genes that are associated with an increased risk of cancer. The National Cancer Institute estimates that inherited gene variants contribute to 5 to 10 percent of all cancers.

There are many options for genetic testing. For example, your healthcare professional may recommend a test to look for variants in a single gene. There are also panel tests that can detect variants in several genes.

There are several components that are associated with genetic testing for cancer. Lets explore each of them below:

A healthcare professional, such as a doctor or genetic counselor, will look at both your personal and family medical history to determine if youre a good candidate for genetic testing.

A genetic counselor will work to give you additional information that can help you decide if you want to get tested. This can include information on:

Genetic counselors are also important after testing. They can help you interpret your results and discuss what to do moving forward.

If you decide to get tested, youll be asked to sign an informed consent document. This document confirms that youve been told about things like:

The testing procedure typically involves collecting a blood sample from a vein in your arm. However, it may also be a sample of:

The sample is then analyzed by a lab that specializes in genetic testing. Its possible that it can take several weeks for results to be ready.

When results are available, theyre typically sent to your genetic counselor, who will then contact you to discuss them and develop a plan for next steps.

The different results that you can receive are:

Genetic testing for cancer can have several potential benefits. These can include:

A healthcare professional may recommend genetic testing for cancer when:

Now lets look at some examples of situations where you may consider genetic testing for cancer.

Someone with a strong family history of developing certain types of cancer may choose to get tested to find out their risk level. This is typically the case if:

For example, someone with both a mother and sister that have been diagnosed with breast cancer may choose to be tested for variations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

If the test has a positive result, this person can then begin to take preventative steps. These can include things like:

A person thats already been diagnosed with cancer may wish to see if an inheritable factor is present. This is particularly true if they have a family history of certain types of cancer or if they received their diagnosis younger than 50 years old.

Knowing that a relative has a specific genetic variation that increases cancer risk can be beneficial for family members as well. It may prompt them to get genetic testing themselves.

Genetic testing isnt perfect. If you do receive a positive test result for a specific gene variant, it doesnt mean that youll develop cancer. It just means that your risk of developing cancer is increased.

Additionally, remember that all cancers are different. Because of this, different types of variations are associated with different levels of risk. Your genetic counselor will discuss this with you when you get your results.

According to Breastcancer.org, the cost of genetic testing for cancer can vary greatly and can be between $300 and $5,000. How much genetic testing costs can depend on the type of test as well as how complex it is.

What exactly is covered will depend on your specific health insurance plan. Many plans will offer some coverage if genetic testing is considered medically necessary.

If youre considering genetic testing for cancer, contact your insurance provider before getting tested. They can help inform you about what is and isnt covered.

Recently, home-based genetic testing has increased in popularity. These tests typically involve using a swab to collect a sample from your mouth. You then mail this sample back and get your results by:

You may be curious if home-based genetic tests are good for determining your cancer risk.

Overall, its best to talk with a healthcare professional if youre interested in genetic testing to assess your cancer risk. Some reasons for this include:

Genetic testing can help determine if you have certain genetic variations that place you at an increased risk of developing cancer. Its often done when you have a family or personal history of certain types of cancer.

There are many benefits to genetic testing. For example, a negative test result may offer some peace of mind. Or, a positive result could help you start taking steps that can prevent cancer from occurring.

Genetic testing does have limitations. A positive test result doesnt mean with certainty that youll develop cancer, Meanwhile, a negative test result doesnt mean that youll never develop cancer over the course of your lifetime.

A healthcare professional or genetic counselor will work with you to help you decide if genetic testing is right for you. If you do decide to get tested, they can also walk you through what the results mean as well as discuss next steps.

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Genetic Testing for Cancer: Benefits, Risks, Cost, and More - Healthline

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