May 5, 2017
Expert Voices

Genetic knowledge is power

Our expert voices conversation on genetic testing for cancer.

More than 10 percent of all diseases are due to a genetic cause — and more gene-disease links are being discovered at a rapid pace. Genetic testing is used increasingly to help understand risk for cancer. However, a thorough evaluation with a genetic counselor should always go hand in hand with gene testing. Here's a four-step process:

  1. Is there even a genetic cause for the disease?
  2. Counseling beforehand and selection of gene(s) to test
  3. Testing
  4. Post-test counseling and advice for managing disease risk

At every step, "gene sherpas" guide patients, their families and their physicians on how to integrate information from the test into their overall health care plan and make informed recommendations about lifestyle modification, intensive screening, preventive measures and possible referrals to specialists.

Bottom line: Precision medicine should become standard practice so patients can benefit from individualized preventive care plans.

The other voices in the conversation:

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