Cancer Genetic Testing

You may benefit from cancer genetic testing if you:

• Have several first-degree relatives with cancer
• Have relatives who developed cancer before age 50
• Have a family history of an unusual or rare form of cancer
• Are Jewish and of Eastern European (Ashkenazi) descent

Having one of these mutations does not mean you have cancer or will get a hereditary cancer. It means you face a higher risk of cancer over your lifetime. We deliver personalized services to manage this risk so you can feel more confident about your future health.

Genetic Testing for Hereditary Cancers

Testing starts by taking a sample of genetic material from blood. In some cases, we might take cells from inside your cheek or other body areas. We analyze them to check for cancer-related mutations.

Our cancer genetic testing services check for gene mutations associated with specific diagnoses, including:

• Adrenal cancer
• Breast cancer
• Gastrointestinal cancer, including ones affecting the esophagus, pancreas, bile ducts, liver, colon or stomach
• Gynecologic cancer 
• Lung (thoracic) cancer 

We also test for mutations associated with hereditary cancer syndromes, which raise the risk of certain cancers. They include: 

• Cowden syndrome
• Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome
• Li-Fraumeni syndrome
• Lynch syndrome

Our Cancer Genetic Testing Services

In addition to testing for cancer-related mutations, our services also include:

• Information on how to reduce your cancer risk through a healthy lifestyle
• Personalized surveillance program detailing the types of cancer screenings you need and how often you should get them
• Access to behavioral health providers who provide emotional support, if needed
• Education about current cancer treatments and research studies at UMass Memorial