With inherited genes contributing to 5-10% of all cancers, genetic testing for cancer is essential. Genetic testing helps you understand and manage your cancer risks by taking necessary precautions, including lifestyle changes. This article discusses how genetic testing can help you.

What Is Genetic Testing?

Genetic testing looks for specific inherited variants (changes) in your genes to determine your risk of developing cancer. Genetic variants can have the following effects on the chances of developing diseases:

• Harmful
• Beneficial
• Neutral (no effect)
• Unknown or uncertain effects

Sometimes, cancer runs in families despite not being caused by inherited variants. For example, a shared lifestyle or environment can cause similar cancers among family members.

However, certain factors like cancer type, noncancerous conditions, and age at which cancer occurs may indicate the presence of inherited cancer-causing genes. Genetic testing also helps determine whether family members without cancer have inherited the same variant as a family member who carries a cancer-susceptible variant.

Which Genetic Tests Are Available for Evaluating Cancer Risk?

Genetic tests are available for the following types of cancer:

• Breast
• Ovarian
• Prostate
• Pancreatic
• Colon
• Thyroid
• Kidney
• Stomach
• Melanoma
• Sarcoma

Genetic tests available for various inherited cancer-susceptible variants that are not linked with named syndromes include:

• PALB2 (found to increase risks of breast and pancreatic cancers)
• RAD51C and RAD51D (ovarian cancer)
• CHEK2 (breast and colorectal cancers)
• BRIP1 (ovarian cancer)

Does Someone with a Cancer-Susceptible Variant Always Get Cancer?

No. Having a cancer-causing variant does not mean that you will develop cancer for sure because it depends on several factors, including:

• Penetrance -  The penetrance of the variant is considered reduced or incomplete when all people having a particular variant are unable to develop the disease associated with it.
• Expressivity -  People with inherited variants can show up different symptoms, including the development of other linked cancers.

Additionally, your lifestyle, overall health, and environmental factors can also impact your probability of developing cancer despite having a cancer-susceptible variant.

Reasons to Consider Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk Evaluation

You should consider opting for genetic testing of tumors if your family medical history includes:

• Getting a cancer diagnosis at a very young age
• Cancer in both breasts or kidneys
• Unusual cancer type (for example, breast cancer in a man)
• Multiple cancers in the same person
• Family members with breast cancer, colon cancer, endometrial cancer, or ovarian cancer
• First-degree relatives (children, siblings, or parents) having the same cancer type
• Presence of congenital anomalies linked to inherited cancer syndromes, e.g., noncancerous (benign) skin growths and skeletal abnormalities associated with neurofibromatosis type 1

(Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow alongside your nerves).

How Effective Is Genetic Testing for Cancer Treatment?

Genetic test results help people diagnosed with cancer make their treatment decisions, understand their risks for other cancers, and act accordingly. Tumor DNA sequencing genetic test is usually performed to see whether cancer cells of people diagnosed with cancer have genetic mutations that can be used for choosing the right treatment.

However, remember that genetic testing cannot determine with certainty whether you will develop cancer. Still, it can tell you whether you have an increased cancer risk than others and help you address those concerns. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, consider taking a genetic test to make your treatment more effective. Contact Chesapeake Oncology Hematology Associates today for any questions or consultations on cancer diagnosis and genetic cancer treatment.

Also Read : In Which Ways Can Your Genes Impact Breast Cancer Care?