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Understanding Your Risk: The Role of Hereditary Cancer Testing in Prevention

A patient-focused guide to getting ahead of hereditary cancer risk

Cancer can feel unpredictable, but for many people, part of the story is written in their DNA. About 5–10% of all cancers are linked to inherited genetic changes—also called hereditary cancer syndromes. Understanding whether you carry one of these changes can be a powerful step toward early detection, informed decision-making, and proactive health planning.

Hereditary cancer testing like Empower™ is designed to help patients uncover these inherited risks. If you’ve ever wondered whether cancer “runs in your family,” or if you simply want to be proactive about your health, this guide breaks down what hereditary cancer testing is, what it can reveal, and how it can help you make informed decisions about your care.

Why Hereditary Cancer Testing Matters

Hereditary cancer testing looks for specific genetic variants that increase the likelihood of developing certain cancers. These variants can be passed down from parent to child, which means they may affect multiple generations.

Testing can help you:

  • Understand your inherited risk for cancers such as breast, ovarian, colorectal, pancreatic, prostate, melanoma, and others.
  • Recognize early signs and symptoms linked to hereditary cancer syndromes.
  • Take proactive steps like preventative surgery, more frequent screenings, or lifestyle changes based on your risk profile.
  • Inform family members, who may also benefit from testing.

What Empower Hereditary Cancer Testing Looks For

Empower is a hereditary cancer test that analyzes genes associated with well-known hereditary cancer syndromes. These include BRCA1 and BRCA2 (linked to increased risk of breast ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancers), Lynch Syndrome genes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM (associated with colorectal, endometrial, ovarian, and other gastrointestinal cancers), CDKN2A (linked to melanoma and pancreatic cancer), and other gene variants. Understanding which gene is involved helps clarify what types of cancer to watch for and what screening strategies may be appropriate.

Signs You May Benefit From Hereditary Cancer Testing

You don’t need a long family history of cancer to consider testing. Some people with hereditary cancer syndromes have no known family history at all.

However, testing may be especially helpful if you or your family have experienced:

  • Cancer diagnosed before age 50
  • Multiple relatives with the same or related cancers
  • Rare cancers, such as male breast cancer
  • More than one cancer in the same person
  • A known genetic variant in the family

If any of these sound familiar, hereditary testing can provide clarity and peace of mind.

How Testing Helps You Get Ahead of Cancer Risk

Hereditary cancer testing doesn’t diagnose cancer—it identifies risk. That risk can guide you and your healthcare provider toward more personalized care.

1. Earlier and More Frequent Screening

If you’re at higher risk, your care team may recommend earlier or more frequent screenings, such as radiographic scans or ultrasound. Detecting cancer early often leads to better outcomes.

2. Awareness of Key Symptoms

Each hereditary cancer syndrome has its own set of warning signs - it may be helpful to keep a journal of your symptoms with dates for reference. Knowing what to look for helps you act quickly if something changes.

3. Preventive Strategies

Some people may consider preventive medications or surgeries, depending on their risk and personal preferences.

4. Family Planning and Family Awareness

If you carry a hereditary variant, your children and siblings may want to be tested as well.

What to Expect From the Testing Process

Hereditary cancer testing is typically simple:

  1. A healthcare provider orders the test.
  2. You provide a blood or saliva sample.
  3. The lab analyzes your sample to assess for specific genetic variants.
  4. Results are returned to your provider, who discusses them with you.
  5. You may be referred to a genetic counselor for additional support.

Your results will fall into one of three categories:

  • Positive – a genetic variant linked to increased cancer risk was found
  • Negative – no known hereditary cancer variants were detected
  • Variant of Uncertain Significance (VUS) – a genetic change was found, but its impact is not yet known

Each result has different implications, and your provider can help you understand what it means for your health.

Empower Yourself With Knowledge

Hereditary cancer testing is not about predicting the future—it’s about preparing for it. Whether you have a strong family history of cancer or simply want to be proactive, tests like Empower can help you understand your risk and take meaningful steps toward prevention.

If you’re curious about whether hereditary cancer testing is right for you, consider starting a conversation with your healthcare provider about Empower.