Genetic testing can be beneficial in understanding your risk of inheriting cancer; however, not everyone is an ideal candidate. Approximately 5-10% of cancers are caused by an inherited cancer syndrome; therefore, genetic testing is only helpful in predicting cancer in a small percentage of individuals.
Research Within Your Family Before Considering Genetic Testing for Cancer
Certain types of cancers, like breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, and endometrial cancer, are more likely to be hereditary. However, before deciding if genetic testing would be beneficial, you and/or your loved ones should put pen to paper, contact as many relatives as possible, and create a family cancer history map. Focus on filling in the cancer histories of as many first-degree (parents, siblings, and children) and second-degree (grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews) relatives as possible.
Who Is a Candidate for Genetic Testing and Genetic Counseling?
Genetic testing, and follow-up genetic counseling, may be warranted if one or more first- or second-degree relatives have been diagnosed with:
- A genetic mutation, such as BRACA1 or BRACA2
- Cancer that was diagnosed at an unusually young age (under age 50)
- Cancer in both organs of a set of paired organs, such as both kidneys or both breasts
- Unusual cases of a specific cancer type like breast cancer in a man or several different types of cancer that have occurred independently in the same person
- Multiple relatives (3 or more) with breast cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer and/or aggressive prostate cancer
- Ovarian cancer at any age
- Two or more different types of cancer that have occurred independently in the same person
- More than 20 polyps in the colon
- Ethnic predisposition, specifically Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
Take an online assessment
If you or a family member on either side of your family has had any of the above mentioned, please take our online questionnaire and consult with the VOA Genetic Counselors.
Genetic Testing Questionnaire
Lifestyle OverrulesGenetics When It Comes to Cancer Risk
When you think about it, that’s actually very good news. You cannot do anything about the genes you were born with. You absolutely can control lifestyle factors (smoking, excess drinking, unhealthy eating habits, not exercising, excess sun exposure) that increase your cancer risks. For certain individuals, though, genetic testing can yield important information about cancer risk.
Are You Prepared Emotionally for the Results of Genetic Testing?
Even if you or your loved ones are deemed excellent candidates for genetic testing, that does not necessarily mean you should immediately set up an appointment to get it. Genetic testing can be potentially life-changing, and before you decide to pursue it, it’s smart to consider and prepare for the “what-ifs.” Additionally, when someone discovers they’re at increased risk of developing cancer, that may mean their close relatives have the same risk. Before someone undergoes genetic testing, it may be wise to discuss that with their close relatives and find out if they want to know the results (since the results could affect them, too.)
Discovering you are at increased risk of developing cancer can be scary. However, that knowledge may allow you to receive medical interventions that will reduce your risk (such as preventive mastectomies to reduce the risk of breast cancer). And, just because you learn you have an increased risk of cancer, that does not mean you will definitely develop cancer. If you would like to learn more about whether or not genetic testing is right for your loved ones, we encourage you to consider VOA’s genetic counseling program. Program participants gain expert guidance from physicians and nurses who specialize in cancer genetics and genetic counseling.
Listen to our podcast episode about the role of genetic counselors in genetic testing.
On this episode of Cancer Care Connections, Tifany Lewis discusses the valuable role genetic counselors play in the genetic testing process. Learn how genetic testing in the oncology setting provides personalized testing based on medical and family history vs the one-size-fits-all approach you get with the direct-to-consumer tests ordered online.
FAQs
Genetic testing can be useful for some people when certain types of cancer seem to run in their families. It can also be helpful for certain people with cancer who don't have a family history of cancer.
What are the downsides of genetic testing? ›
People may feel angry, depressed, anxious, or guilty about their results. In some cases, genetic testing creates tension within a family because the results can reveal information about other family members in addition to the person who is tested.
Is genetic testing a good idea? ›
Genetic testing plays a vital role in determining the risk of developing certain diseases as well as screening and sometimes medical treatment.
What is the average cost of genetic testing for cancer? ›
Genomic testing of tumor tissue includes tests to look for changes in a specific gene or chromosome, as well as tumor-panel tests to look for changes in multiple genes at the same time. These tests can cost from $300 to over $10,000, and the prices of targeted treatments are often higher than $100,000 a year.
Which type of cancer is hereditary? ›
Latest research suggests that most cancers are caused by environmental rather than genetic factors. The cancers with the highest genetic contribution include breast, bowel, stomach and prostate cancers.
Why shouldn't genetic testing be mandatory? ›
Mandatory genetic testing might also have devastating effects on the individuals who are tested. Unlike infectious disease (which can be viewed as external to the person), genetic disease may be viewed by people as an intractable part of their nature.
Does insurance pay for genetic testing? ›
Most insurance plans cover genetic testing, at least to some extent. But whether a specific person will be covered depends on a number of factors. For example, the person's personal or family cancer history may need to meet certain medical criteria for testing.
What happens if genetic testing is positive? ›
A positive result means that testing has identified a gene change or genetic mutation in one or more of the genes analyzed. This type of result may be called a pathogenic or disease-causing variant. A positive result typically means that you're at higher risk of developing a hereditary condition.
Why are people opposed to genetic testing? ›
In a large number of instances, when patients receive the results of genetic tests, they are party to information that directly concerns their biologic relatives as well. This familial quality of genetic information raises ethical quandaries for physicians, particularly related to their duty of confidentiality.
Why would someone want to get a genetic test? ›
To confirm or rule out a diagnosis in an individual with symptoms of a genetic condition. For individuals with a family history of or a previous child with a genetic condition.
Prenatal screening for genetic abnormalities that cause serious disorders is widely supported; however, there is concern that screening could also be used to select for traits that are aesthetically desirable (eg, physical appearance, intelligence). Cloning is highly controversial.
Has genetic testing ever been wrong? ›
Rarely, tests results can be false negative, which occur when the results indicate a decreased risk or a genetic condition when the person is actually affected. In some cases, a test result might not give any useful information. This type of result is called uninformative, indeterminate, inconclusive, or ambiguous.
Is it necessary to get genetic testing? ›
Genetic testing can give you important information if you are planning a family or if you, or someone you care for, has a genetic disorder. But before you start, there are plenty of issues for you to think about, including where to go if you choose to do a test.
Should my partner and I get genetic testing? ›
You should consider preconception genetic testing if either you or your partner have a family or personal medical history of genetic disorders, because having a known history is the most significant risk factor.
What can I expect from cancer genetic testing? ›
What testing involves. There are usually 2 steps to genetic testing: A relative with cancer has a diagnostic blood test to see if they have a cancer risk gene (this must happen before any healthy relatives are tested). Their result will be ready 6 to 8 weeks later.
When is genetic testing recommended? ›
Your healthcare provider might recommend a genetic testing panel if you or your child have symptoms of a disease or condition that can be caused by genetic changes in many different genes. Examples include primary immunodeficiency, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy.
Can genetic testing tell if you have cancer? ›
In most cases, there's no way to know for sure if or when cancer might develop. But it's important to remember that the results of genetic testing do not change your current state of health, meaning they do NOT tell you if you have cancer or not.
