Genetic Testing for Cancer
The University Hospitals Center for Human Genetics offers testing to identify gene changes that can increase your risk of cancer. People with gene mutations may benefit from additional cancer screening and other options to reduce their risk of cancer.
To make a genetic counseling appointment, ask your doctor for a referral, schedule online, or call the Center for Human Genetics at 216-844-3936, option 1.
What Is Hereditary Cancer?
Most cancers happen by chance and the cause is usually unknown. These are known as “sporadic” cancers. In some families, cancer happens more often than would be expected by chance. It may occur because of a shared lifestyle or from a combination of lifestyle and genetic risk factors. It can also happen because of a gene that is passed down through a family. Cancer that is caused by a known genetic risk factor is called “hereditary cancer.”
Genes tell the body how to work. Many genes protect the body and help prevent cancers from happening. When there is a change in one of these genes, it may not work the way it should to prevent cancer. These gene changes are called mutations. Having a gene mutation does not mean that a person has cancer or will get cancer for certain. It means that a person has a higher chance to develop certain types of cancer.
Who Should Consider Genetic Testing for Cancer?
If you have cancer: In some cases, genetic testing may help you and your doctor decide the best treatment plan for you. Testing may help you understand your chance of getting another cancer in the future. It may also help your family members better understand their risk for cancer.
If a family member has cancer: You may want to learn if you have a higher chance for cancer. Finding out about an increased risk for cancer may help you take steps to prevent cancer or find cancers earlier.
Our cancer genetics team will talk with you about genetic testing for you and your family. It’s up to you to decide if testing is right for you. We work with people who:
- Have cancer now.
- Had cancer in the past.
- Do not have cancer but may have one or more family members with cancer.
Who Can Benefit From Meeting With a Genetic Counselor?
Genetic counselors can help people who are diagnosed with cancer at a young age or who have a family history of multiple cancers.
You may benefit from a cancer genetics appointment if you or any family members have a history of:
- Cancer diagnosed at an early age, such as breast cancer diagnosed before age 50.
- More than one blood relative with the same type of cancer, especially in multiple generations. For example, colon cancer in a father and daughter.
- More than one cancer diagnosis in the same person, such as someone who is diagnosed with colon cancer and uterine cancer.
- 10 or more colon polyps.
- Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish ancestry and breast or ovarian cancer.
- A rare type of cancer, such as male breast cancer or medullary thyroid cancer.
- Cancer on both sides of a pair of organs, such as both kidneys or both breasts.
- A gene mutation that can increase the risk for cancer. For example, a known mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
What Happens at a Cancer Genetics Visit?
At your first visit, you meet with a genetic counselor to discuss:
- Your personal and family history of cancer.
- If cancers in your family appear to follow a pattern or occur more often.
- Ways to manage your risk for cancer, such as cancer screenings or preventive options.
- If and how genetic testing might help you and your family.
Genetic testing may not be helpful for every family. Even if testing is offered, you may choose not to have it done. If you decide to have genetic testing, it is usually done by taking a sample of your blood or saliva. Sometimes tumor tissue from a past surgery can also be tested.
Results from the testing are often ready in about 3 to 4 weeks. A follow-up visit is scheduled to review your test results.
What Happens at a Cancer Genetics Follow-Up?
Your genetics team discusses:
- Your genetic test results.
- The risk of cancer for you and your family members.
- Options for cancer screening to detect cancer earlier or other ways to lower cancer risk.
- Whether other family members should consider genetic testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between genetic testing and genomic testing for cancer?
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Genetic testing detects if a person has an inherited genetic mutation that puts them at higher risk for getting certain cancers. Genomic testing is genetic testing performed on a tumor itself.
Genomic testing helps scientists develop targeted medicines to target and destroy cancer cells based on their unique genetic makeup. It also provides valuable information about how well a patient’s cancer will respond to chemotherapy and their prognosis. This information helps a patient and their providers determine what treatments and clinical trials may be best for them.
- How common is hereditary breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer?
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Only 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers and 20 to 25 percent ovarian cancers are inherited. Most cancers are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. When breast or ovarian cancer is inherited, the majority are caused by BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations.
- What are the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and why are they so important?
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The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are two important genes that control cell growth and division. If one of these genes stops working properly, this increases the likelihood that cancer will develop. However, having a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation does not guarantee that cancer will develop. In women who carry BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, the most common cancers are breast and ovarian cancer. In men, the most common cancers are prostate cancer and male breast cancer.
- Should I be tested?
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The decision to have genetic testing is a complicated one. It may be helpful to discuss the risks and benefits of testing with a genetic counselor. Genetic counseling can help you determine if testing is appropriate for your family. It can also help you explore how you and your family might feel about a positive or negative test result, and how you would use that information in your medical care.
- Does health insurance cover the cost of genetic counseling and testing?
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Most health insurance plans cover the cost of genetic counseling visits and genetic testing, but not all plans are the same. During a genetics appointment, the genetic counselor will discuss the cost of testing with you.
- How do I make a genetic counseling appointment?
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Ask your doctor for a referral, or call the Center for Human Genetics at 216-844-3936, option 1. To find a Genetic Testing for Cancer Specialist, click here.