Genetic Testing For Cancer Risk
Cancer genetic testing
A few types of cancers, genetic testing can be done to understand the underlying risks. Genetic Testing For Cancer Risk involves ways to assess mutations or alterations in your genes. There are many kinds of testing available now, and as you are reading this, more and more are under development.
Predictive genetic tests are done by looking into mutations of inherited genes. Such mutations may lead to a few types of cancers. Not all people are tested using this method. It is recommended to those with a family track-record of certain kinds of cancers and also to those who are already diagnosed with cancers.
If you are living with an inherited-mutation of genes, using this test – cancer risks can be detected at a much earlier stage. Once detected in a timely manner, you can take needful remedial steps to prevent its spread. For instance, if members of your family have had breast cancers, mutations in genes like BRCA – 1 as well as BRCA – 2 can indicate likely risks you face
.
Among those who are already diagnosed of cancers, genetic tests can show the possibilities of incidence of other forms of cancers.
Genetic counseling
Genetic counseling is offered to people who have a pattern of incidence of cancers among their kin. You are advised to consult with a genetic counselor on genetic testing if you have one or more 1st-degree blood relatives like your father, mother, siblings or a child has cancer(s). Genetic counseling can also help when several relatives of one side of your family develop a similar kind of cancer.
This support also helps those who have a relative living with several types of cancers. Incidence of cancers at a fairly younger age group to get that kind of cancer(s). You may also to check out for incidence of a rare form of cancer among blood relatives; conditions such as breast cancers in a male. In some cases, a lab test may reveal an inherited gene-mutation; checking with a genetic counselor can help in such situations as well.
In sum, genetic counselor provides you with needful information to take a decision on testing. These counselors are specially trained and are certified by a board or may have a license – based on the state they reside. In fact, a few doctors, oncology nursing professionals as well as social-workers may offer such counseling.
Through genetic counselling you can infer the risks of getting a specific type of cancers, how to respond to the risks identified, which genetic testing suits your condition best as well as of the significance of the results of such tests. The counselor also ensures utmost privacy of information and data pertaining to your genetic make-up.
How is genetic testing for cancer done
Genetic testing is done either with a sample of your saliva or blood. Often, it is performed in a lab wherein needful samples are taken. In some cases, saliva test is sent to your place; when you complete the test, you can send it to the lab. You need to know salvia has your blood and skin-related cells in it. So, when you spit inside a tube and send it your lab, they can use it to sequence your DNA.
Pros and cons of genetic testing for cancer
Pros of genetic testing for cancer risks: Foremost of all, genetic testing for cancer risk can eliminate needless fears and anxieties form your system. The treatment plan can be made more specific and customised, depending on the results of genetic tests. Your family members – who have a similar mutated gene(s) – can take needful precautions to prevent likely incidence of cancers. Last but not least, if you are diagnosed of a mutated gene of the hereditary type, you can take all the necessary steps to stop the gene being passed to your biological offsprings.
Cons of genetic testing for cancer risks: Test results may often cause guilt and associated distress; at times, this may even affect relationships among family members. Those who have the results confirming the incidence of cancers may fear that their employer(s), associates, friends and insurance service providers may come to know of your condition. Worries about costs of treatment and follow-up testing can emerge among those diagnosed of cancer risks.
In general, a variant of a gene is present in your family, an entire gene may be tested for possible mutations. In some cases, testing panel may only focus on a focused variant, which is identified in your relatives.
Also, the genetic structure is unlikely to change with time. Hence, it is not advised to repeat the panel of tests. But, in a few instances further testing is recommended. These include repeat test on another tissue for confirmation.
In this backdrop, it is highly recommended to talk to your genetic counselor and / or treating doctor to know more on the pros and cons of genetic testing.
Who can do Genetic testing?
It is your genetic counselor who decides what kind of testing you need. Your genetic counselor will assess your family’s medical history and make a note of the types of cancers your family members have had. Once the pattern is clear, it is your genetic counselor who does the testing.
Genetic counselors will add BRCA-related alterations / mutations if ovarian and breast cancers are evidenced in your family tree. For example, if uterine and / or colon cancers are observed among close family members, mutations related to Lynch syndrome are tested. Often times, it is either a saliva or a blood test.
What happens at the genetic testing clinic?
At the clinic, based on your family’s clinical track record, your test panel is finalised. As a next step, ample of DNA i.e., blood or saliva sample is taken. At times, the blood sample is posted for another day at the lab. In case of salvia, you can help get the sample by spitting inside a container. Results of your test may take about 14 to 21 days’ time.
The most standard test is a multi-gene / panel testing. This is done when there is no known mutation of gene(s) in your family. Information your share about your family’s clinical history is a key input for the panel testing. In case such information is not available, your counselor or doctor may order a broadened testing panel; such broad-based panels look for potential mutations in genes that are associated with most common types of cancers
How do I decide whether to have a genetic test?
Nearly 6 – 9% of cancers are believed to be triggered by harmful changes in your genes; these mutations are often inherited from your parent. Several genes wherein harmful changes may show up have been evidenced. Genetic testing shows the odds of getting cancers due to genetic triggers.
One of the advantages of having a genetic counselor to do your genetic testing is they can make you prepared for the likely outcomes. In all, three (3) outcomes are more likely. These include negative results, positive and unknown.
In case of a negative outcome – which is quite common among many tests, your genetic counselor concludes that the condition is not genetic. Possibilities of hereditary cancers are hence ruled out. This however does not rule out the scope of risks, especially if your close family members had cancers. Negative results also denote that cancer may have been caused by environmental or lifestyle-related causes. They may also reveal that genetic causes are not fully ascertained.
A positive outcome refers to presence of a genetic change / mutation; this can enhance the risk of cancers in your system. The outcome may indicate either a mild or a sizable chance of getting cancers.
An unknown significance means that a unique mutation has been identified but cannot be associated with cancer risks. Such results are usually treated as negative till additional data is available to confirm the underlying risks.
Best place to do genetic testing in Chennai?
here are several labs offering genetic testing for cancer risks. You can check out Lifecode in Chennai. This service provider offers preventive healthcare and wellness packages by detecting autoimmune conditions like cancers at an early stage. This provider also has a personalised diet as well as nutrition program for those living with potential risks. The team is capable of offering case management services to hundreds of diseases. Above all, Lifecode has a dedicated team of geneticists and nutritionists who develop bespoke genetic testing suite, nutrition and diet advisory and risk management program for every member.
Lifecode operates out of No. 18, 2nd floor, Gopalapuram 1st street, Gopalapuram, Chennai – 600086. You can either dial +91 98844 55488 or write to contactus@lifecode.life for more details about their genetic testing packages to detect and manage cancer risks.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting that intake of a drug(s) or a treatment modality is safe or appropriate. You are urged to consult with a qualified clinical professional and get a treatment plan from her / him for the underlying medical condition(s).
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Education: Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai Experience: Agarwal is a seasoned pharmacist with over 7 years of experience in the pharmaceutical field. She has worked in various settings, including hospital pharmacies and community clinics, where she has excelled in medication management, patient counseling, and clinical support. Agarwal is known for her expertise in drug therapy optimization and patient safety. In addition to her practical experience, she contributes to health journalism, focusing on pharmaceutical advancements and health policy, and is involved in research projects aimed at improving medication practices and health outcomes. is known for her expertise in drug therapy optimization and patient safety. In addition to her practical experience, she contributes to health journalism, focusing on pharmaceutical advancements and health policy, and is involved in research projects aimed at improving medication practices and health outcomes.
