Genetic testing can help patients fully understand their genetic makeup, what mutations they have and how that translates to the risk of developing cancer in the future.
Genetic Testing
Emily Pacer knew cancer was a risk in her family: Her paternal grandmother had cancer four times and her aunt tested positive for carrying the BRCA mutation associated with a higher risk of developing breast cancer.
If cancer runs in a family, there may be an inherited factor that increases the risk of younger generations in that family developing cancer.
Due to continual advances, some people will actually have genetic testing done multiple times in their lives.
Generally, only about 5 to 10% of cancer diagnoses are traced to an inherited factor or gene mutation, but in the young adult (ages 18-39) population, experts say it’s likely higher.
An ovarian cancer test, CA125 is a reliable tool when used correctly. That is the message from Roswell Park following an FDA alert regarding the use of this common blood test.
“I owe my life to Roswell, and I give my doctors all the credit. For some reason, cancer likes my body, but I have to get through this. I don’t have any other choice."
One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in his life, but not all men with the disease will need to be treated for their illness.
Angela Eschrich, 64, and her daughter, Ashley, 36, have a lot in common. They both have boundless energy, stunning blue eyes, incredible courage and optimism, and — unbeknownst to them until two years ago — a BRCA2 gene mutation that greatly increases their risk of getting cancer.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumor suppressor genes, meaning when they function normally their job is to keep tumors from forming. Some people however, have an altered or mutated copy of the gene and certain mutations are associated with an increased risk for several cancer types, including breast, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic, melanoma, and in some families, colorectal.
Even if you already have cancer, you can’t let down your guard when it comes to prevention. In fact, cancer patients have even more reason to be on guard, because they usually have a higher risk for infection or developing other types of cancer.
Our understanding of the genetic impact on cancer risk continues to evolve rapidly, and scientific advances in the field have led to significant changes in genetic screening for cancer risk in terms of what we test for, whom we test and how we test.