Question 234 of 433
When should I have genetic testing for cancer risk?
The short answer
When cancer appears in your family at young ages, in several relatives, or in certain patterns.
Ask for a genetics referral if a close relative had breast, colon, or uterine cancer before 50; ovarian, pancreatic, or male breast cancer at any age; or if several relatives on one side had related cancers. People of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry have a higher chance of carrying a BRCA mutation, about one in forty, and many experts recommend they be offered testing regardless of family history. A positive result opens the door to earlier screening and preventive options that save lives.
“This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship.” From the book’s medical disclaimer. Full disclaimer
GUIDELINE-BASED — Selected inherited-cancer risks: counseling and targeted testing can change prevention.Evidence grade (draft mapping)GGuideline-based / consensusPart 16, Q234 · Part sources
From Longevity Unmasked by Afshine Ash Emrani, MD, FACC. Medical disclaimer. This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship. Nothing here is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Medicine is personal: a test, drug, supplement, or exercise plan that helps one person can harm another. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or treatment because of something you read in these pages. Talk with a licensed clinician who knows your history first. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911. The author disclaims responsibility for any loss or harm arising from use of the information in this book.