Who should have genetic testing to see if they are at increased risk of cancer due to hereditary factors?
Individuals who have more than one close relative with cancer, two generations of relatives diagnosed with cancer, relatives with cancers that have occurred in two or more sites, and relatives diagnosed with cancer at young ages may be at increased risk of cancer due to hereditary factors. Before making a decision about whether to be tested, individuals would be wise to have their family history analyzed by a health professional experienced in cancer genetics, and to learn whether testing is available for the cancers of concern to them. If testing is available, an individual needs to determine the usefulness of the test in his or her situation. At the present time, even when many individuals in a family have cancer, testing may not provide information about risk, since not all mutations that increase cancer risk are known.
Related Questions
- If my family is at risk for hereditary cancer, but we do not really wish to pursue genetic testing, is a genetic counselling appointment still available to us?
- How often are these cancers hereditary? How can an increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer be inherited?
- Who should have genetic testing to see if they are at increased risk of cancer due to hereditary factors?
