What does the genetic test result mean?
There are 3 possible outcomes of a genetic test involving a mutation search:
- find a mutation (a "positive" result)
- find no mutations (an "uninformative" result)
- or find a variant of uncertain clinical significance
Cancer cannot be inherited but cancer risk can. If the mutation detected via genetic testing causes more than one type of cancer or tumour, it's referred to as a Hereditary Cancer Syndrome. The cancer risk over a lifetime may be high and the cancers often occur at a younger age. That's why cancers can run together in some families. If you think that describes your family, read more about family history assessment.
If you inherit a mutation, it's been there your whole life. Knowing about it means you can do something about it.