Risk Management & Treatment > Cancer Treatment > By Cancer Type > Prostate > Genes linked to hereditary prostate cancer
Inherited mutations and cancer
Genes linked to hereditary cancer
About 1 out of 10 cancers is caused by an . The genes listed below have been linked to an increased risk for hereditary cancer. Note: this is not a complete list.
* More research is needed to confirm a link between cancer and an in these genes.
Genetic testing results may affect cancer treatment and prognosis
- In addition to increasing lifetime risk for cancer, , (and possibly other genes) have been linked to more aggressive, disease.
- People with mCRPC who test positive for an may benefit from targeted or to treat their cancer.
Get Support
FORCE offers many peer support programs for people with inherited mutations.
- Our Message Boards allow people to connect with others who share their situation. Once registered, you can post on the Diagnosed With Cancer board to connect with other people who have been diagnosed.
- Our Peer Navigation Program will match you with a volunteer who shares your mutation and situation.
- Our moderated, private Facebook group allows you to connect with other community members 24/7.
- Check out our virtual and in-person support meeting calendar.
- Join one of our Zoom community group meetings.
updated: 08/06/2022
Expert Guidelines
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network has guidelines regarding which cancer patients should undergo genetic counseling and testing. Men with the following factors should speak with a genetics expert about genetic testing:
- A tumor test result that suggests an (for example, a , or mutation in the tumor that may indicate an in one of those genes).
- A blood relative who tested positive for an in a gene linked to cancer.
- cancer diagnosed at any age.
- Intraductal/cribriform cells found by pathology.
- Cancer that is categorized as very high or high risk based on pathology.
- A diagnosis of male breast cancer.
- Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish ancestry.
- One or more first-, second- or third-degree relatives with breast cancer diagnosed at age 50 or younger, or ovarian, pancreatic, male breast cancer, cancer or intraductal/cribriform cancer at any age.
- Two or more close relatives diagnosed with breast or cancer at any age.
updated: 03/01/2023
Paying For Care
Insurance coverage for genetic counseling and testing
Most health plans cover genetic counseling and testing for inherited gene mutations linked to cancer in people who meet the national guidelines. The cost of testing and your out-of-pocket charges may vary based on several factors.
People who are denied coverage for genetic testing can file an appeal (FORCE has sample appeal letters). Your healthcare provider can work with your insurance company and help you file an appeal if needed. Low cost testing may be available for $250 or less. Learn more about coverage for genetic counseling and testing here.
If you need information about finding an insurance plan, watch our video: Choosing Wisely: How to Pick Insurance Plans.
testing under the Affordable Care Act
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), insurance companies must pay for both genetic counseling and testing with no out-of-pocket costs for women who meet certain criteria. The ACA regulations are limited to testing for and only and do not cover genetic counseling or testing in all situations. You can learn more about testing under the ACA here.
Medicare and Medicaid coverage of genetic testing
Genetic counseling and testing is typically covered by Medicare for people already diagnosed with cancer who are in treatment or for whom test results may affect their care. Most state Medicaid programs cover genetic testing for and mutations for people who meet requirements, which vary by state. You can read more about Medicare and Medicaid coverage of genetic testing here.
Financial assistance or low cost genetic testing
JScreen is a national program based out of Emory University that provides low-cost at-home genetic counseling and testing with financial assistance available. Many laboratories offer low-cost genetic testing or financial assistance programs. Programs vary, so if you are not eligible for assistance through one lab, consider contacting other labs to see if you qualify .
- Ambry Billing and Insurance
- Color for All (Color's Family Testing Program
- Invitae Patient Assistance Program
- Quest Financial Assistance Program
- Natera Compassionate Care Program
- Myriad Cares
- Sema4 Financial Assistance
updated: 03/16/2023
Open Clinical Trials
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