Why test for hereditary cancer?
Approximately 1 in 6 people in Southeast Asia will be affected by cancer during their lifetimes 1. Hereditary cancers make up 5-10% 2 of cancer cases and are caused by inherited pathogenic germline mutations in one or more genes.
Hereditary cancer testing is key to identifying patients and families who may be at increased risk of developing certain types of cancer for early detection and prevention 3,4.
Indications for Testing
- Patients with more than one primary cancer
- Patients with rare cancers at any age
- 3 or more close family members diagnosed with cancer
- Age of cancers diagnosed for close family members is younger than 50
- History of cancer which has a high incidence in the individuals ethnic group
- Individuals with previous targeted genetic testing who may benefit from an extended panel
Book an appointment with us today to understand your risk towards hereditary cancers
References
- Sung H. Ferlay J, Sigel RL, et al. Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries.
CA Cancer J Clin. 2021; 71(3):209-249. doi:10.3322/caac.21660 - ACOG Committee Opinion Number Number 793, 2019. Hereditary Cancer Syndromes and Risk Assessment.
- Lincoln SE, Nussbaum RL, Kurian AW, et al. Yield and Utility of Germline Testing Following Tumor Sequencing in Patients with Cancer.
JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(10):e2019452. - Pollard S, Kalloger S, Weymann D, et al. Genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromes: patient recommendations for improved risk communication.
Health Expect. 2020;23(4):884-892. doi:10.1111/hex.13062. - Lincoln SE, Nussbaum RL, Kurian AW, et al. Yield and Utility of Germline Testing Following Tumor Sequencing in Patients with Cancer.
[published correction appears in JAMA Netw Open.2021 Jul 1;4(7):e2123147].
JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(10):e2019452. Published 2020 Oct 1. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.19452