Cancer genetics is the study of cancer risk. At UCSD's Cancer Genetics Unit, we specialize in helping individuals understand their cancer risk and provide education about genetic testing, risk reduction, resources and clinical trials.
Determining whether or not you have an increased risk of developing cancer can have potentially life-saving implications. For example, you may undergo more frequent screenings if you know you are at risk for a particular type of cancer, or may elect to undergo preventive surgery. Finding out that you are not at increased risk can also be very helpful, especially when you have a family history of cancer.
It’s important to keep in mind that most cancer is not due to inherited mutations. Researchers estimate that only 5 to 15 percent of cancers are hereditary, depending on the type of cancer. A positive test for increased risk doesn’t indicate that cancer will develop.
Types of inherited cancer
So far, only a few types of cancers have been linked to a gene alteration for which a blood test is possible. These include:
- Breast
- Colon
- Stomach
- Melanoma (skin cancer)
- Ovarian
- Pancreatic
- Endocrine cancers
How Much Does It Cost?
In many cases, health insurance plans will cover the costs of genetic counseling and/or testing when it is recommended by a person’s primary physician. Since different health insurance providers have different policies about which tests are covered, you may wish to contact your provider beforehand to ask about coverage.
If your insurance provider doesn't cover our services, you may choose to pay out of pocket. Costs will depend on which services you choose and can range from under $100 to thousands for extensive DNA testing.
How Risk Assessment is Done
Preliminary screening generally involves the following:
- Taking a thorough family history through multiple generations
- Evaluating the types of cancer in a family, as well as the ages at which family members were diagnosed
- Reviewing medical records of family members (when possible)
If the results indicate that you are a candidate for genetic testing, you may decide to have DNA testing to prove or disprove increased cancer risk. DNA testing can determine gene mutations that have been linked to increased cancer risk. There are two main types of genetic DNA testing:
- If you are the first person in your family to be tested: Ideally, the person in the family with the youngest age at cancer diagnosis is the best person to start with. Whole genes are scanned to see if a mutation (a change in the “normal” genetic sequence) can be identified. If a mutation is found, this confirms that the patient has a hereditary cancer syndrome, and testing becomes possible for other family members. If a mutation is not found, then the risk of a hereditary cancer syndrome is greatly reduced, but might not be entirely eliminated depending on the unique family history of cancer.
- If there is a known genetic mutation in a family: Once a mutation has been found in a family, close relatives have a 50% chance of also having that mutation. Testing in this situation is very straightforward, since the laboratory test gives a definitive result: either the patient has the mutation, or they don’t.
Contact us
For more information, to make an appointment or to refer a patient, please call (858) 822-3240 or email cancer-genetics@ucsd.edu.
How Results are Used
At UCSD's Cancer Genetics Unit, obtaining test results and assessing risk are only one part of the process. Each patient also receives works closely with a genetic counselor. Our genetic counselors collaborate with our team of physicians to ensure that patients and families with an increased risk of cancer get outstanding care, with a focus on cancer prevention and early detection.
We can recommend courses of action, such as lifestyle changes or more frequent cancer screenings. For high-risk individuals, we will also discuss preventive measures, such as taking medications that can reduce cancer risk, having specialized screening, or undergoing preventive surgeries.
When appropriate, we may recommend that other family members receive genetic testing and counseling. Choosing whether or not to receive these services is strictly up to the individuals affected.