Knowledge is one of the most powerful tools in medicine. At Cochise Oncology, understanding your unique health profile is the first step in taking control of your future. While the thought of cancer requires immense courage to face, genetic testing offers a way to move from uncertainty to empowerment.
What is Genetic Testing?
Most cancers occur by chance, but approximately 5-10% are hereditary, meaning gene mutations cause them, passed down through families. Genetic testing is a simple medical test, usually requiring only a blood sample or saliva swab, that identifies these specific inherited changes in your chromosomes, genes, or proteins.
Who Should Consider Testing?
This testing is not for everyone, but it is a vital resource for those with a strong family history of the disease. You might consider discussing this with our team if your family history includes:
- Multiple relatives on the same side of the family with the same cancer.
- Family members diagnosed with cancer at a young age (under 50).
- A relative with a known genetic mutation.
How Results Guide Your Care
The goal of genetic testing is not just to identify risk, but to manage it. For example, identifying a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes can alert a patient to a higher risk of breast or ovarian cancer.
With this information, our physicians can develop a personalized plan for “whole patient care.” This might include more frequent screenings to catch issues early or specific preventative measures. For patients who have already been diagnosed, genetic results can help our team choose advanced targeted therapies that work best for your specific genetic makeup.
You do not have to walk this path alone. We will stand with you, providing the expertise and hope you need. Begin your path to healing today. Request a consultation or call us at (520) 803-6644.
Powered by