Cancer and Genetic Testing

Overview

  • Post By : Chandni Luthra co-founder FutureMed

  • Source: Microbioz India

  • Date: 11 Mar,2020

Everyone has some risk of developing cancer, and in most cases the disease develops by chance. However, some people are genetically predisposed to developing certain types of cancer. In a small percentage of people with cancer, the disease is due to a different type of mutation called a hereditary mutation, or germline mutation. These mutations are usually inherited from one or both of the person’s parents, and are present in nearly every cell of the body. People who carry such hereditary mutations do not necessarily get cancer, but their risk of developing the disease at some point during their lifetime is higher than average.

Chandni Luthra co-founder FutureMed

In recent years, scientists have discovered a number of mutations that can contribute to a person’s risk of developing certain cancers, including breast, ovarian, colorectal, and prostate cancer, as well as some other, less common cancer types. Futuremed promotes more than 10 different cancer panels i.e. Breast, Ovarian, Endocrine, Renal, Skin, Prostrate and Colorectal. These panels are either aligned towards risk assessment if the concerned person has family history of cancer otherwise known as genetic pre-disposition and synergistic treatment to be followed according to the mutation found.

Cancer can happen due to somatic or germ-line mutations but the underline reason is always genetic alternation. Reasons of somatic mutations are unhealthy lifestyle, tobacco use or environmental factors. Germ-line genetic testing can ascertain cancer prevalence across family, and types of cancer. For diagnosis purpose to check somatic mutations, tumor DNA sequencing is done to determine drug recommendation or treatment guidelines to be followed on the basis of mutation studied. The analysis will infer which treatment suits the patients considering the mutation analyzed.

There have been big advances in caring for people who have these known genetic mutations (changes).  Genetic Screening by FutureMed in addition to prevention strategies as well as some treatments based on these screenings can be targeted, and patients’ lives can be improved. Genetic testing also gives doctors the ability to use preventive measures to decrease a patient’s risk of cancer. For example, women who do not already have cancer but have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation can with the help of the doctors discuss preventive measures and surgeries. Genetic testing for hereditary cancer should now become part of standard practice because of the benefits it offers patients. Testing positive for a genetic mutation is not a death sentence but an opportunity. You have options: increased surveillance, chemoprevention, and surgery. You can be proactive and fight cancer before it even starts.

In several forms of cancers, genetic testing is used to determine which medicine or treatment procedure will best work for the patient. Thus Genetic testing will potentially be helpful in developing effective strategies for early detection, prevention, and better management of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer which will have a positive impact on healthcare in India.

Chandni Luthra

Co-founder/Director

FutureMed Devices Pvt LTD

D-124 Panchsheel Enclave, New Delhi

www.futuremed.co.in

+919319910550

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