Cancer Updates, Research Every cell in your body contains your unique genes, which are made of DNA, or the chemical blueprint for your body. Sometimes our DNA changes, or mutates, disrupting the cell’s normal function. In some cases, this can increase our risk for developing certain cancers. Just as you inherit your genes from your parents, you can also inherit genetic mutations from them. Knowing more about our inherited genetic mutations can tell us if we’re more likely to develop certain diseases, such as breast cancer. The video below helps to explain the difference between a genetic test, a tumor profiling test and a genomic test, and when each should be used. While each test is different, they all look at a person’s DNA to better understand his or her unique makeup. A genetic test uses blood, saliva or cheek cells to look for specific, inherited gene mutations linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, or other diseases. For those who have breast cancer, genetic tests can determine if the cancer is due to an inherited gene mutation. This information can help plan treatment. It can also help family members understand their risk of breast cancer. Speak to a genetic counselor if you’re considering genetic testing. For someone who already has breast cancer, a tumor profiling test looks in the breast cancer cells for specific changes in a gene or panel of genes. This information is used by doctors to help guide treatment decisions, and sometimes, to help predict if the cancer will spread. Lastly, a genomic test uses samples of blood, saliva, cheek cells or breast cancer cells to look at mutations across all the DNA in a cell, not just the specific gene or sets of genes. Genomic testing can be done on normal cells to detect all a person’s inherited mutations, or on the tumor cells to detect all mutations in the cancer cells. To summarize, genetic tests look for specific gene mutations a person has inherited. Tumor profiling tests look at specific gene mutations in a tumor cell. And genomic tests can be done on normal cells to detect all a person’s inherited mutations or on tumor cells to detect all the mutations in the cancer. It’s important to consult with a doctor about these tests, and which, if any, might be right for you. << Previous Post In Case You Missed It... Komen Blog Read More Next Post >> Vitamin D – How Much... Komen Blog Read More Related Stories Previous Next Komen Blog Knowing Your Family Health History... Read More Komen Blog An Opportunity To Live Read More Komen Blog The Racial Injustice of Breast... Read More Komen Blog Mortality Rates for Black Women... Read More Komen Blog Komen’s 2021-2022 Advocacy Priorities Seek... Read More Komen Blog Tips for Living a Healthy... Read More Komen Blog Breast Cancer, No Longer Your... Read More Komen Blog When Pink is Just Another... Read More Komen Blog Social Justice Is An Issue... Read More Komen Blog Congressional briefing on metastatic breast... Read More Komen Blog Mission Badge Read More Komen Blog Can Researchers Outsmart Breast Cancer... Read More Komen Blog Take Action on Important Breast... Read More Komen Blog Drinking Alcohol in Moderation –... Read More Komen Blog What to Expect After a... Read More Komen Blog Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer... Read More Komen Blog What Are The Odds: Father... Read More Komen Blog Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer... Read More Komen Blog When Pink is Just Another... Read More Komen Blog Knowing Your Family Health History... Read More Komen Blog An Opportunity To Live Read More Komen Blog The Racial Injustice of Breast... Read More Komen Blog Mortality Rates for Black Women... Read More Komen Blog Komen’s 2021-2022 Advocacy Priorities Seek... Read More Komen Blog Tips for Living a Healthy... Read More Komen Blog Breast Cancer, No Longer Your... Read More Komen Blog Social Justice Is An Issue... Read More Komen Blog The Importance of Supporting Charities... Read More Amanda DeBard Every Elected Official Should Support... Read More Komen Blog This Facility Opens its Doors... Read More Amanda DeBard How Community Was Created for... Read More Komen Blog Growing a Family Following Breast... Read More Amanda DeBard Dr. Nadine Tung Discusses Surprising... Read More Komen Blog Dr. Daniel Stover Leverages Lab... Read More Komen Blog Urge Congress Today to Pass... Read More