Hereditary Cancer Panels

OVERVIEW

WHAT IS HEREDITARY CANCER?

Cancer is a genetic disease characterized by the rapid and uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. It is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Cancer is a multi-stage process which starts from genetic alterations in the DNA of normal cells, known as mutations. Accumulation of genetic alterations causes the now cancerous cells to multiply and form a mass, known as a tumor, which can grow and spread to other parts of the body.

Some types of cancer can occur sporadically and sometimes cancer can run in families. It is estimated that 5-10% of cancer cases are inherited. Inherited mutations (genetic variants) can exist from birth and can be passed down from parents to their children, increasing the risk of developing cancer in the future. Inherited variants can also lead to the development of hereditary cancer syndromes (e.g., familial melanoma). Patients with these syndromes have an elevated risk of developing specific cancers in the future.

Identifying inherited variants and estimating the risk for cancer development provides the opportunity to identify the most appropriate preventive measures, offer better clinical management and/or undergo timely routine monitoring.

IMPORTANCE OF GETTING TESTED

Hereditary cancer genetic testing allows the identification of genetic variants that can increase the risk of developing cancer in the future. Early identification of cancer predisposition genes can lead to better clinical management of the disease in the future.

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS TEST

You have relatives diagnosed
with cancer at a young age
(<50 years)

You have a strong family history
of the same or multiple
different cancer types

You have been diagnosed
with cancer and would like
to know if there is a genetic cause

You have a family member
with a genetic variant
that is linked to cancer development

You have a physical finding
that is linked to an inherited cancer
(such as having many colon polyps)

MEDICAL GENETIC COUNSELLING

We provide expert medical genetic counselling as part of a genetic testing journey. Genetic counselling is a process of communication that supports patients and their relatives before and after genetic testing. It is educational, impartial and nondirective. Prior to any genetic test, genetic counsellors will obtain a detailed family history, explain the method of testing that will be used, its risks and benefits, the limitations of the diagnosis and the implications of making a genetic diagnosis (Elliott and Friedman, 2018, Nat Rev Genet 19:735).

Upon receiving the genetic test results, genetic counselling can help the specialist physician and the patient to interpret them. They can be advised of the consequences of the results including the probability of developing the genetic disorder or passing it on to children, as well as ways to prevent, avoid or reduce these risks (Yang and Kim, 2018, Ann Lab Med 38:291). Our goal of counselling is to provide the patient with greater knowledge and thus, a better understanding of the results and the ability to make a more informed decision.

ABOUT OUR TESTS