Two Kinds of Testing
Germline Testing
A blood or saliva test for inherited mutations (BRCA1/2, Lynch syndrome, TP53) that raise cancer risk for you and your relatives.
Somatic (Tumor) Testing
Sequencing the tumor itself to find mutations that guide targeted therapy or immunotherapy.
Who Should Consider Germline Testing
- Anyone with ovarian, pancreatic or metastatic prostate cancer
- Breast cancer diagnosed young, triple-negative, or in men
- Several relatives with the same or related cancers
- Colorectal or endometrial cancer with mismatch-repair deficiency
- Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry with a personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer
Genetic Counseling
A genetic counselor explains which test fits, what positive, negative or uncertain (VUS) results mean, and options such as enhanced screening or risk-reducing surgery. In the U.S., GINA protects against genetic discrimination in health insurance and employment.
Medically reviewed content for education only — not a substitute for advice from your oncology team.