Should I Consider Genetic Testing?

What is Genetic Testing?

If you were diagnosed with cancer at a young age or have a family history of cancer, genetic testing may help you better understand your risk and take steps to protect your health.

How Does Genetic Testing Work?

Genetic testing looks for inherited changes, called gene variants or mutations, that can increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer. According to the National Institutes of Health, inherited gene changes may play a role in 5% to 10% of all cancers.

Knowing whether you have one of these gene changes can help you and your doctor make informed decisions about cancer screening, prevention, and treatment.

If you were diagnosed with cancer at an early age or have a family history of the disease, genetic testing may help to save your life.

Who Should Consider Genetic Testing?

You may benefit from genetic testing if you:

• Were diagnosed with cancer at a younger-than-expected age.
• Have several family members with the same or related types of cancer.
• Have a family history of rare cancers.
• Have had more than one type of cancer.
• Have a known inherited cancer gene in your family.

Your doctor or a genetic counselor can help determine whether testing is right for you.

What Happens During Genetic Testing?

Genetic testing is simple. Your provider collects a small sample of saliva or blood and sends it to a specialized laboratory for analysis.

Most people receive their results in about three weeks.

Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover genetic testing when you meet certain medical guidelines.

What Do the Results Mean?

Most people do not have an inherited gene change linked to cancer.

About 1 in 10 people who are tested receive a positive result. A positive result does not mean you have cancer. It means you have a higher risk of developing certain cancers than someone without that gene change.

If your test is positive, your care team may recommend:

• Earlier or more frequent cancer screenings.
• Additional imaging or laboratory tests.
• Lifestyle changes that may lower your cancer risk.
• Genetic counseling.
• Genetic testing for close blood relatives, such as siblings or adult children.

If you have already been diagnosed with cancer, genetic testing can also help your doctors choose the treatments that may work best for your specific cancer.

Is Genetic Testing Private?

Yes. Your genetic testing results become part of your confidential medical record and are only available to you and your healthcare team.

Federal law also protects you from discrimination by health insurance companies based on most genetic test results.

Why Consider Genetic Testing?

Genetic testing can give you peace of mind if no inherited cancer gene is found. If testing identifies a higher cancer risk, you and your care team can take steps to detect cancer earlier or lower your risk before cancer develops.

Early detection often leads to more treatment options and better outcomes.

Talk to a Grady Doctor About Genetic Testing

If you have a personal or family history of cancer, ask your doctor whether genetic testing for cancer is right for you.

Whether you need a checkup, screenings, or genetic testing, or help managing a chronic condition, Grady’s primary care physicians are here to help. Book your appointment online at gradyhealth.org, through MyChart, or call (404) 616-1000. With convenient locations across metro Atlanta, our doctors there can provide access to Grady’s cancer genetic specialists to put your mind at ease.