Cancer sequencing in India is gaining impetus among people because of increased awareness. Cancer sequencing involves genetic testing that searches for specific inherited changes in an individual’s genes.
Often genetic variants may have harmful and uncertain impacts on the risk of developing illnesses. The harmful variants in specific genes are typically related to the increased risk of forming cancerous cells.
Genetic testing has potential benefits, whether the results are negative or positive for a gene mutation. The results derived from the gene sequencing test can provide a sense of relief from uncertainty.
It also allows people to make informed decisions about managing their healthcare. Before undergoing genetic testing for cancer, here are some essential things you should know.
Overview of Genetic Testing
The primary objective of genetic testing is to search for variants in a person’s genes. These variants often have neutral, beneficial, or harmful effects on the risk of developing terminal illnesses like cancers.
At times, cancer can appear to run in families. For instance, if the whole family uses tobacco, then all the members are prone to develop specific types of cancers. Another purpose of genetic testing is to determine whether family members who have not contracted cancers have inherited the same variant as a family member known to carry a harmful gene variant. Cancer gene sequencing can identify if cancer cells that have undergone treatment can help with a cancer diagnosis. Undoubtedly, cancer sequencing is one of the most evolving fields in cancer treatment and diagnosis in India.
Application of Hereditary Cancer Panels in Sequencing
Reputed gene testing labs deploy hereditary cancer sequencing panel to simultaneously examine the variants in various genes that have been related to increased cancer risk. Some of the benefits of using cancer sequencing panels are as follows:
- Cancer sequencing panels may help identify the presence of pathogenic variants in rarer genes in individuals who tested negative for common hereditary illnesses.
- The clinical presentations of several cancer patterns can overlap. By using a cancer sequencing panel, researchers can conduct a simultaneous assessment of various genes.
- Hereditary cancer panels can recognize pathogenic variants in people.
Note that a negative result on a multigene panel is pretty reassuring to an individual.
When should you opt for a Cancer Sequencing Test?
To be precise, genetic cancer sequencing is a personal decision. You can undergo the gene cancer sequencing test after consulting with your family members and doctors. Here are the following situations where you should opt for gene cancer sequencing.
- Cancer runs in your family, and you’re at a higher risk of developing it
- You want to reassure yourself that you have a sound health condition
- If you have family members with ovarian and breast cancers, undergoing genetic cancer testing is of utmost importance.
If you are concerned that you have increased chances of inheriting cancer, it is suggested that your family member suffering from cancer undergo genetic sequencing. This will help ascertain whether cancer in your genes is due to an inherited variant.
Advantages of Genetic Testing for Cancer
Here are some advantages of genetic testing for cancer you should know.
- A sigh of relief from an uncertain future
- Allows you to stay prepared financially as cancer treatment is cost-intensive
- Decreases the risk of cancer by allowing you to implement specific lifestyle changes
- Extensive knowledge about risks associated with varied types of cancers
- Earlier detection with hereditary cancer sequencing augments the possibility of successful treatment
Uses of Hereditary Cancer Sequencing one should know
Genetic cancer sequencing can offer information about a person’s background. The uses of this type of testing are as follows:
As the name suggests, this type of sequencing is used just after the birth of a baby. It helps in recognizing cancer-related risks early in life. And when the risks are recognized earlier, the possibility of successful treatment outcomes increases.
Carrier Testing
With carrier testing, one can recognize people who carry one copy of a gene mutation that, when available in two copies, increases the risk of cancer. This type of testing is recommended for those who have a family history of cancer.
Prenatal Testing
Prenatal testing can help in detecting alterations in a fetus’s genes or chromosomes just before birth. This type of testing is necessary when there are high risks that the baby born will develop cancer genetically.
Why contact Genes2Me for Hereditary Cancer Sequencing?
Genes2Me is one of the leading agencies in the realm of molecular diagnostics in India. They are a NABL-accredited diagnostic lab with a pan-India presence. To know the cost of hereditary cancer sequencing cost in India, contact them at the earliest.
