Once you've determined that hereditary cancer may be present in your family, it's your decision whether to have genetic testing.
Here's a general outline of the steps involved in genetic testing for inherited cancers:
- Take the quick and easy Hereditary Cancer Quiz on this site.
- Print your quiz results and take them to your doctor. Or find a doctor who already offers cancer risk assessment and genetic testing.
- Discuss your family history and concerns regarding inherited cancers with your healthcare provider. You may want to learn more about your risk for cancer by gathering your family history using the Cancer History Guide before you go to your healthcare provider.
- A small amount of blood will need to be drawn and sent to Myriad Genetic Laboratories for analysis.
- Receive your test results from your doctor approximately four weeks after testing starts (or test start date).
After you receive your results, you and your doctor can discuss your personalized cancer risk reduction steps.
What the web says about genetic testing
MedlinePlus: Genetic Testing
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Genetic Testing
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Colon Cancer
Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer or large bowel cancer, includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. It is the third most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the Western world. Colorectal cancer causes 655,000 deaths worldwide per year, including about 16,000 in the UK, where it is the second most common site (after lung) to cause cancer death. Many colorectal cancers are thought to arise from adenomatous polyps in the colon. These mushroom-like growths are usually benign, but some may develop into cancer over time. The majority of the time, the diagnosis of localized colon cancer is through colonoscopy. Therapy is usually through surgery, which in many cases is followed by chemotherapy.
