Hereditary Cancer Genetic Testing
Hereditary cancer genetic testing looks for inherited gene changes that increase the risk of certain cancers, often considered when there is a strong family history. Using a blood or saliva sample, it helps clarify your risk so that screening, prevention, and treatment decisions can be personalized. Genetic counseling before and after testing is essential to interpret results.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
Most cancers are not inherited, but a minority are linked to gene changes passed down through families. Hereditary cancer genetic testing looks for such inherited variants, most often when there is a strong personal or family history of cancer, cancers at unusually young ages, or a known variant already identified in a relative. Identifying an inherited risk does not mean cancer is certain; it means your risk is higher than average and can be managed more proactively.
Results are interpreted by a clinical genetics team, frequently together with oncology and other specialists, so that any recommended screening, risk-reducing measures, or treatment considerations are tailored to you. Because these results carry significant emotional weight and implications for relatives, genetic counseling is built into the process both before testing, to decide whether it is right for you, and afterwards, to explain what the findings mean. A result may be positive, negative, or of uncertain significance, and each is discussed carefully.
International patients are supported by a coordinator who arranges the referral, pre-test genetic counseling, and a transparent, itemized cost estimate before travel. Post-test counseling and any plan for screening or prevention can be discussed remotely after you return home.
Who is a candidate?
- You have a strong family history of the same or related cancers, sometimes across several generations
- A close relative has a known inherited cancer-risk variant that you could also carry
- You or a relative developed cancer at an unusually young age
- There is a pattern of multiple cancers in one person or closely linked cancers in the family
- You have been diagnosed with cancer and testing could guide your own treatment and inform relatives
- You want expert guidance on whether inherited-risk testing is appropriate for your situation
What happens
- 1
Referral & pre-test counseling
A genetics specialist reviews your personal and family cancer history, assesses whether hereditary testing is appropriate, and explains the possible results, including uncertain findings, and what each could mean for you and your family.
- 2
Sample collection
A simple blood or saliva sample is collected. No anesthesia or preparation is required.
- 3
Laboratory analysis
Our on-site genetic diagnosis laboratory analyzes the sample for inherited cancer-risk variants. Turnaround depends on the specific test and is confirmed by your coordinator.
- 4
Results & post-test counseling
A specialist explains whether an inherited risk was found and, with the wider team, outlines any recommended screening, risk-reducing options, or treatment considerations. This can be discussed remotely if you have returned home.
Benefits
- Clarifies whether you carry an inherited gene change that raises cancer risk
- Allows a personalized screening plan so that any cancer may be found earlier or prevented
- Can inform treatment decisions for people already diagnosed with cancer
- Helps relatives understand their own risk and make informed testing choices
- Every result is interpreted by specialists and explained through non-directive genetic counseling
Risks & considerations
- A positive result indicates higher risk, not a certainty that cancer will develop
- A negative result does not eliminate cancer risk, since most cancers are not inherited
- Some results are variants of uncertain significance that cannot yet guide clear decisions
- Findings can carry emotional weight and have implications for relatives and for privacy or insurance
- Testing targets specific known cancer-risk genes and cannot detect every possible cause of cancer
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Medical Genetics.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Hereditary Cancer Genetic Testing — frequently asked questions
No. An inherited variant means your risk is higher than average, not that cancer is certain. Knowing this allows you and your doctors to plan closer screening and, where appropriate, risk-reducing steps, which is often the main benefit of testing.
A negative result is reassuring for the specific inherited genes tested, but it does not remove cancer risk altogether, because most cancers are not inherited. Everyone should continue with age-appropriate screening; your counselor will explain what your result means for you.
Patterns such as the same cancer across generations, cancers at a young age, or a relative with a known variant can point to an inherited risk. Reviewing your family history helps the team decide whether testing is likely to be informative for you.
A genetics specialist, often with oncology colleagues, discusses a personalized plan that may include more frequent screening, preventive options, or treatment considerations. Because relatives may share the same risk, counseling also covers how you might share this information with your family.
Your coordinator arranges the referral and pre-test genetic counseling before travel and provides an itemized cost estimate in advance. The sample is taken during your visit, and your results, counseling, and any screening plan can be discussed remotely after you return home.
We provide a transparent, itemized estimate after reviewing your case and do not quote fixed prices online because each plan is individual. Turnaround depends on the specific test, and your coordinator confirms the expected timing before you proceed.
Related treatments
Considering hereditary cancer genetic testing?
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