Personal Pros & Cons of Genetic Testing for Cancer

In some families there may be a genetic predisposition to a specific cancer such as breast cancer and colon. If you decide that you and your family have enough genetic indicators to think about genetic testing, consider these lists of pros and cons. Talk to your closest family members, and talk to your doctor, before you make a decision about genetic testing.

Reasons to have a genetic test

Genetic testing should provide more information about the risk of getting a secondary cancer like ovarian cancer. You can use that to help with a treatment decision.

A positive genetic test might encourage other family members to get cancer screening sooner.

Genetic testing can inform me and my treatment team as we explore treatment and testing options.

Sometimes health insurance will pay for genetic testing. Myriad Genetic Laboratories has a reimbursement office that will find out this information.

There will be less uncertainty about the cause of cancer in your family.

Genetic testing may identify family members who are not at higher risk for cancer.

Genetic testing might motivate family members to reduce their risk by adopting healthier behaviors.

There are federal laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of genetic information.

Simply having a family discussion amongst about cancer risk is a good thing and might promote healthy behaviors and closer family relationships.

Reasons why you may not want to have the test.

Your may need to make choices about what to do about screening for more cancer if I have a genetic marker.

Family members will face choices about what to do about screening and genetic testing if I have a genetic marker.