Predictive genetic test for cancer risk genes
Whata positive result means
If your predictive genetic test result is positive, it means you have a faulty gene that raises your risk of developing cancer.
It doesn'tmean you are guaranteed to get canceryour genes only partly influence your future health risks. Other factors, such as your medical history, lifestyle and your environment, also play a role.
If you have one of thefaulty BRCA genes, there is a 50% chance you will passthis on toany children you have and a 50% chance that each of your siblings also has it.
You may want to discuss your results with other members of your family, who may also be affected.The genetics clinic will discuss with you how a positive or negative result will affect your life and your relationships with your family.
You can read more about this in the beginner's guide to BRCA1 and BRCA2 (PDF, 866kb) produced by The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.
Insurance companies cannot ask you to disclose theresults of predictive genetic tests for the majority of policies, but this may change in the future.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Cancer is not usually inherited, but some types mainly breast, ovarian, colorectal and prostate cancer can be strongly influenced by genes and can run in families.
What to do if you're worried
Speak to your GP if cancer runs in your family and you're worried you may get it too.Theymay refer you to alocal geneticsservice foran NHSgenetictest, which will tell you if you have inheritedone of t
Pros and cons of having a predictive genetic test
Not everyone who is eligible for the NHS test will want to have it. It's a personal decision, and should only be made after you've had genetic counselling sessions and talkedthrough what having the t
Whattesting involves
There are usually two steps to genetic testing: Arelative with cancer has a diagnostic blood test to see if they have a cancer risk gene (this normally must happen before any healthy relatives a
Whata positive result means
If your predictive genetic test result is positive, it means you have a faulty gene that raises your risk of developing cancer. It doesn'tmean you are guaranteed to get canceryour genes only partly i
Managing your risk
If your test result is positive, you have arange of options to manage your risk. Risk-reducing surgery is not the only option. Ultimately, there's no right or wrong answer about what you should do it
Tellingclose relatives
Your genetics unit will not approach your relatives about your result it will usually be up to you to tell your family. You may be given a standard letter to share with relatives, which explains your
Planning a family
Cancer risk genes can be passed on to any children you have. If your predictive genetic test is positive and you want to start a family, you have several options. You can: Have your children withou
Paying for private testing
If there isn't a strong family history of cancer in your family and the faulty gene hasn't otherwise been identified in any of your relatives, you won't be eligible for the NHS genetic test. You'll h
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