Cancer occurs due to genetic changes in cells , 10% of cancers are hereditary. Individuals are considered to be candidates for hereditary cancer syndromes if they have a personal and/or familial history of specific cancer type. Genetic counsellors work on identifying the risk based on the family history and help in suitable testing.
Currently genetic tests are available for diagnosis, prognosis and targeted therapy of cancer. These tests are different from those done to identify an individual’s risk of cancer.
A genetic counsellor will help in selecting the appropriate tests and will provide both pre and post test counselling. (FISH, microarray, NGS).