Hereditary Cancer
A carcinogenetic (CGx) test identifies specific, inheritable gene mutations that may increase a person’s risk of developing or redeveloping cancer.
Gain insight as this test will analyzes genes and tumor markers, including BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM, COH1, MLH1, HSH2, MSH6 and PTEN.
What is the bloom Hereditary Genetic Cancer Test?
Genetic testing looks for specific inherited changes (variants) in a person’s genes. Genetic variants can have harmful, beneficial, neutral (no effect), or unknown or uncertain effects on the risk of developing diseases. Harmful variants in some genes are known to be associated with an increased risk of developing cancer. These inherited variants are thought to contribute to about 5 to 10% of all cancers.
Cancer can sometimes appear to “run in families” even if it is not caused by an inherited variant. For example, a shared environment or lifestyle, such as tobacco use, can cause similar cancers to develop among family members. However, certain patterns that are seen in members of a family—such as the types of cancer that develop, other non-cancer conditions that are seen, and the ages at which cancer typically develops—may suggest the presence of an inherited susceptibility to cancer.
Knowledge is Power
Everyone is at risk of developing cancer, but what we do to lower our exposure will speak volumes when it comes to prevention and treatment. Some individuals are genetically predisposed to the development of certain types of cancers because they might run in his or her family. Genetic testing for hereditary cancer can present valuable medical information for the patient and blood relatives.
Know your Hereditary Risks
Proactive Care
If you are diagnosed with a disease, or if a family history of a disease is revealed through testing, understanding your genetics can help you make more informed treatment decisions. It can also provide insight into how particular predispositions may play a role within your family. That not only includes your children but siblings, aunts, and uncles, nieces and cousins.
Preventative Action
Results let you work with your healthcare provider to explore lifestyle changes and medically informed decisions to reduce your cancer risk. A Bloom Genetic test increases the probability of early detection, which dramatically increases the rate of survival.
There are over 33 genes tested within the genetic test. A mutation in one or more of these genes can indicate an increased risk of cancer, including breast, ovarian, colorectal or prostate.
The test includes over 12 different cancer types in a comprehensive CGX complete panel. Results can provide a more extensive evaluation of cancer-related genes in a family.
Who Qualifies for a bloom Hereditary Cancer Test?
Primary qualification includes having or had one of the following personal cancers:
- breast cancer
- pancreatic cancer
- prostate cancer (Gleason score greater than 7)
- ovarian cancer
Supporting Qualification include personal or family history of one or more of the following (especially if early onset and can include multiple cancers in same individual):
- sarcoma
- adrenocortical carcinoma
- brain tumors
- leukemia
- diffuse gastric cancer
- colon cancer
- endometrial cancer
- thyroid cancer
- kidney cancer
- dermatologic manifestations or macrocephaly
- hamartomatous polyps of gastrointestinal (GI)
- An individual that has three or more close family members with different types of cancer
General Information
Hereditary or Predisposition Cancer Genomics
Molecular testing looks for specific inherited changes (mutations) in a person’s genetic make-up. Genetic mutations may have multiple different effects on a patient’s health.
Mutations that are harmful may increase a person’s chance, or risk, of developing a disease such as cancer. Inherited mutations are thought to play a role in 5-10% of all cancers. These particular conditions are considered hereditary and appropriate genetic testing may be used to determine an individual’s risk.
Some people inherit mutation(s) in the germline, allowing for the mutations to be passed on from their parents and to their children. There are two classes of cellular genes: oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Often, multiple genetic mutations in a single individual are responsible for the development of hereditary cancers.
While the genes we inherit from our family are the source of many of our best traits, they can also impact our health. Certain inherited conditions can increase our risk for cancer or other illness.
You’ll learn through testing whether you have an inherited condition that places you at higher lifetime risk of cancer or other diseases. If testing reveals you’re a carrier, you can take charge of your health through proactive lifestyle changes and medical care.
Additional Resources
Genetic Testing Fact Sheet
Genetic Testing Fact Sheet
Genetic Testing Fact Sheet
Read more on Genetic Testing from The Cancer Institute
Hereditary Breast Cancer
Genetic Testing Fact Sheet
Genetic Testing Fact Sheet
Consensus Guideline on Genetic Testing for Hereditary Breast Cancer
Cancer.net Editorial Board
Genetic Testing Fact Sheet
Cancer.net Editorial Board
Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk