Genetic Testing Helps Identify Elevated Cancer Risk
Genetic testing helps identify hereditary cancer risks, allowing individuals to pursue personalized screening plans.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Cancer
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Genetic testing at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center helps identify hereditary mutations that may signal a heightened cancer risk. This testing can guide proactive screening and care decisions for individuals with a strong family history or early-onset diagnoses.
Why it matters
Genetic testing is a vital tool for those with significant family cancer histories or those diagnosed before age 50. Identifying specific gene mutations allows patients and their doctors to create tailored screening plans, such as annual MRIs, to improve early detection.
Clinical standards for genetic testing identify mutations such as the ATM gene, which elevates risks for breast, pancreatic, ovarian, and prostate cancers. While 13% is the average breast cancer risk for U.S. females, genetic testing is currently used to assess those with unusual personal or family histories.
The players
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
A Buffalo-based institution providing cancer research, patient treatment, and genetic testing services.
Jill Komm
A patient who underwent genetic testing and cancer treatment after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis at age 41.
The details
Genetic testing, performed via blood test or saliva swab, detects inherited mutations that predispose individuals to specific cancers. When a mutation is identified, clinicians shift from standard care to enhanced surveillance, such as yearly MRIs. This approach aims to identify potential malignancies earlier than traditional screening methods allow.
Timeline
Genetic testing is considered for candidates diagnosed at age 50 or below.
Jill Komm was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 41.
Health Landscape
The use of genetic testing at centers like Roswell Park represents a move toward personalized oncology in the United States. This trend shifts the standard of care from population-level averages to individual-level risk management based on specific hereditary markers.
If you have a strong family history of cancer or were diagnosed under age 50, consider discussing the benefits and limitations of genetic testing with your physician. These tests are meant to inform your screening schedule and should be part of a broader conversation about your clinical risk.
The takeaway
Genetic testing can clarify personal cancer risks for those with specific family or health histories. If you are concerned about your risk, keep track of your family's cancer diagnoses and discuss whether genetic counseling or testing is appropriate for your health profile during your next exam.
Further reading
For more on how physicians use diagnostic tools to manage risks, visit Cancer.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wivb4.
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Would you choose to undergo genetic testing if your family has a history of cancer?
