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What is Genetic Testing?
Explore information about genetic testing for an inherited mutation, the benefits and limitations of genetic testing and the type of results you might receive.
Genetic testing for inherited mutations
Genetic testing for an (also called "germline genetic testing") looks at found in blood or saliva samples to find mutations that can cause diseases such as cancer.
Genetic testing can help people understand their risk for cancer, help them make medical decisions, and take steps to lower their cancer risk or detect cancer early. For people already diagnosed with cancer, genetic testing can help people make medical decisions about how to best treat their cancer.
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Last updated January 31, 2022
Below are clinical trials that include genetic counseling and testing.
- NCT02665195: Registry Of MultiPlex Testing (PROMPT). PROMPT is an online research registry. The goal of PROMPT is to help researchers to better understand the risks that are linked to mutations in less well-studied genes.
- NCT02620852: WISDOM Study: Women Informed to Screen Depending on Measures of Risk offers women age 40-74 the opportunity to undergo risk assessment and genetic testing in order to determine the best breast screening options based on their situation.
- NCT04476654: Improving Uptake of Genetic Cancer Risk Assessment in African American Women-Video. This study looks at the usefulness of intervention with a culturally-tailored video to improve uptake of genetic counseling in Black women who are at increased risk of .
- NCT05694559: Connecting Black Families in Houston, Texas to Genetic Counseling, Genetic Testing, and Cascade Testing by Using a Simple Genetic Risk Screening Tool and Telegenetics. This study will provide genetic testing to 150 Black individuals and families and provide genetic counseling and risk reduction resources to individuals with a mutation linked to increased cancer risk.
Other genetic counseling or testing studies may be found here.
updated: 05/28/2023