For some, cancer is a known threat because they have inherited an increased risk for cancer in their genes—it runs in the family.
About 10% of all cancers are hereditary, and can be traced to an inherited mutation in one of the genes that play a role in protecting the body against cancer. These mutations cannot develop later in life. People who have these gene mutations are born with them and are at greater risk for cancer than the general population. The level of risk and the type of cancer depend on the gene mutation.
Being diagnosed with a hereditary condition can be scary. That's why early detection is so important.
Based on your test results, your healthcare provider may:
If you test positive for a genetic mutation, there may be up to a 50/50 random chance that your close family members (parents, brothers, sisters and children) will also have the same mutation.
Have you or your family members been diagnosed with:
Cancer at a young age (younger than 50 years old)?
More than one cancer?
Cancers you’ve been told are usually rare, such as ovarian or pancreatic cancer?
Have multiple people on the same side of your family had cancer?
Have any of your family members been found to have a cancer gene mutation?
If your responses indicate that you may be at-risk for hereditary cancer, there's no need to panic.
Not everyone who has a risk will necessarily go on to develop disease. Genetic test results are a tool to help clarify your cancer risk, and inform your healthcare provider in determining the best plan of action moving forward.
*Your healthcare provider may identify other reasons why it may be beneficial for you to consider genetic testing
Results from your genetic tests will fall into one of three categories:
A positive result confirms an increased risk for an inherited cancer, and may be the basis for medical management recommendations specific to the gene that has a mutation
As previously noted, a positive result also indicates there may be up to a 50/50 random chance that each of your children, brothers, sisters, and parents has this same mutation and, like you, are at increased risk to develop the cancer linked to your mutation. Therefore, genetic testing for additional family members may be recommended
Since inherited disease risk(s) and management recommendations are based on personal and family history as well as genetics, you will want to discuss next steps with your healthcare provider
Despite your negative result, genetic testing may be advisable for family members depending on their clinical history
Management recommendations should be based on personal or family history
These results may change over time as we learn more information, and you could possibly get an updated result in the future
Find information about our cancer tests here. Click the arrows to expand the gene list to see all of genes that are included on each test. By clicking on each gene, you can find more information that would be important for a person who tests positive for a mutation in that gene. These Understanding Your Results pages are included with positive test reports from Ambry.
BRCA1/2 mutations are the most common causes of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). This tests for BRCA1/BRCA2.
A 19-gene test for hereditary breast and gynecologic cancers; includes genes linked to a higher chance of developing breast, ovarian, uterine, and other cancers.
A 21-gene test for hereditary breast and gynecologic cancers; includes genes linked to a higher chance of developing breast, ovarian, uterine, and other cancers.
Testing for hereditary cancer; includes genes linked to a higher chance of developing breast, ovarian, colorectal, uterine, prostate and/or other cancers.
Testing for hereditary cancer; includes genes linked to a higher chance of developing breast, ovarian, colorectal, uterine, prostate and/or other cancers.
BRCA1/2 mutations are the most common causes of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). This tests for BRCA1/BRCA2.
A 19-gene test for hereditary breast and gynecologic cancers; includes genes linked to a higher chance of developing breast, ovarian, uterine, and other cancers.
A 21-gene test for hereditary breast and gynecologic cancers; includes genes linked to a higher chance of developing breast, ovarian, uterine, and other cancers.
Testing for hereditary cancer; includes genes linked to a higher chance of developing breast, ovarian, colorectal, uterine, prostate and/or other cancers.
Testing for hereditary cancer; includes genes linked to a higher chance of developing breast, ovarian, colorectal, uterine, prostate and/or other cancers.
Testing for hereditary brain tumors, including genes linked to a higher chance to develop different types of brain tumors and/or other cancers
Testing for hereditary cancer; includes genes linked to a higher chance of developing breast, ovarian, colorectal, uterine, prostate and/or other cancers.
Testing for hereditary cancer, including genes linked to a higher chance to develop one or more of the following: brain tumors, breast, colon, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, kidney, uterine, and/or other cancers.
AIP | ALK | APC | ATM | AXIN2 | BAP1 | BARD1 | BMPR1A |
BRCA1 | BRCA2 | BRIP1 | CDC73 | CDH1 | CDK4 | CDKN1B |
CDKN2A |
CHEK2 | CTNNA1 | DICER1 | EGFR |
EGLN1 |
EPCAM | FH | FLCN |
GREM1 | HOXB13 |
KIF1B |
KIT |
LZTR1 | MAX | MEN1 | MET |
MITF | MLH1 | MSH2 | MSH3 | MSH6 | MUTYH | NF1 | NF2 |
NTHL1 | PALB2 | PDGFRA | PHOX2B | PMS2 | POLD1 | POLE | POT1 |
PRKAR1A | PTCH1 | PTEN | RAD51C | RAD51D | RB1 | RET |