GENETICS TESTING
Hereditary Cancer Screening
Your family history can hold useful information. Hereditary cancer testing looks for selected inherited genetic changes associated with increased cancer risk.
Scientific illustration. The text on this page provides the information independently of the graphic.
EXPLORE, DON’T JUST READ
Inherited risk is not a cancer diagnosis.
Explore the meaning of different types of genetic findings.
Interactive educational illustration. Confirm the actual panel, specimen and interpretation requirements with the laboratory.
THE CLINICAL QUESTION
What this testing
can help explore.
Pure Diagnostic’s hereditary cancer service, also called CGX, focuses on inherited cancer predisposition. A discussion of personal and family history helps a qualified clinician determine whether testing is appropriate and which panel to consider.
Purpose
To support a clinician or genetic counselor evaluating inherited cancer risk and discussing the implications for the individual and family.
- Laboratory approach
- Analysis of selected inherited cancer-predisposition variants
- Specimen planning
- Ask the laboratory for the accepted specimen, current panel and any required consent documentation.
- Availability & reporting
- Contact the laboratory for current panel options, turnaround time and reporting arrangements.
Understanding the report
A positive result associated with inherited risk is not a cancer diagnosis. A negative result does not eliminate every possible cancer risk. A genetic counselor can explain the finding in context.
Know the limits
A panel does not detect every possible inherited risk. Some findings may be uncertain and require further interpretation rather than an immediate change in care.
Before you order
- Which personal and family history should be reviewed?
- Which genes and types of variants are included?
- Is genetic counseling recommended before and after testing?
- What might different results mean for relatives?
Prepare your questions, then confirm the details through the laboratory’s ordering process.
Create an order worksheetCommon questions
Is this the same as testing a tumor?
Inherited-risk testing and tumor testing answer different questions. Ask the ordering clinician which type of evaluation is appropriate.
Does an increased-risk result mean cancer is certain?
No. The result needs individual interpretation and a discussion of follow-up with a qualified clinician.
Further reading
Independent educational information. These sources do not describe the specific scope of a Pure Diagnostic panel.
KEEP EXPLORING
Related testing areas.
YOUR NEXT CONVERSATION
Questions about hereditary cancer screening?
Our team can help with current availability, specimen requirements and practice coordination.