what is genetic testing for cancer

Genetic testing for cancer is the use of medical tests to look for certain mutations or changes in a persons genes that might put them at higher risk of getting certain cancers. Genetic testing can help estimate a persons chance of developing cancer in their lifetime by searching for specific changes in their genes, chromosomes, or proteins. There are different types of genetic testing for cancer, including predictive genetic testing, which is used to look for inherited gene mutations that might put a person at higher risk of getting certain kinds of cancer. Genetic testing for cancer is different from at-home genetic tests that determine simple information like ancestry. Healthcare providers typically collect a sample of a persons blood or saliva that they send to a laboratory to look for changes in their genes. Genetic testing for cancer is a personal decision made for different reasons, and it is a complex decision best made after talking with a persons family, health care team, and genetic counselor.