Genetic Testing for Cancer – Why & How

Genetic Testing is a type of research that is done to identify whether someone carriers the risk of attaining cancer. Through various analyses of the genes, chromosomes, proteins and carriers in a person’s body, it can be found whether the person has cancer or poses the risk of attaining cancer in the future. There are more than 900 different ways of genetic testing done that cover a wide array of cancers, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, blood cancer, thyroid cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer.

Genetic Testing

Factors that lead to a Genetic Testing

There are various factors to consider when you go for a cancer testing. But the main reasons that suggest a person having the likelihood of attaining cancer are as follows:

  • Family Background: Most common threat is when the family line is affected by a certain type of cancer. If two or more family members maybe from the same or different family line is diagnosed with cancer, be it the same cancer or something related to it, there is a high possibility that the individual may have cancerous genes.
  • Early Onset: Sometimes if few of the relatives are diagnosed with cancer at an early age, it might not look very necessary but, it is recommended to have a genetic testing.
  • Multiple Sites: When your relative has two or more types of cancerous cells in his or her body, it is time for you to go for a check- up to be on the safe side.

The Two Step Process of Genetic Testing

Genetic Testing is a very complex process that takes over a month to get the real results. From attaining blood samples that can contain cancer genes to testing for mutation, it is one of the best and the most complex test of all.

  • Mutation Search: The Laboratory begins with searching for that particular gene fault also known as gene mutation that has caused cancer for the member in your family diagnosed with cancer. Known as the mutation search, the blood sample from your body is collected and sent through an elaborate process that breaks it down to chromosomal levels to determine the fault in the gene coding.
  • Predictive Testing: The Predictive Testing also known as genetic screening is done when the anomaly in the coding is found. If the same sort of mutation lies in the person at risk, then he has a positive result and need to be diagnosed immediately from preventing the spreading of the cancer cells.

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