Genetic cancer testing for preventative care

Genetic testing for cancer can help you by providing awareness of your personalized DNA makeup and can accurately establish whether genetic mutations are found in your body.
If your family members have been diagnosed with cancer, this testing helps you to determine how likely you may be for inheriting those mutated genes that the cancer started from and the chances of them being passed down to your children or grandchildren.
If you have been previously diagnosed with cancer, hereditary testing for cancer can let you know the likelihood of developing that specific type of cancer again, as well as other cancers based on mutations found.
In most cases, this genetic test is covered by Medicare and some commercial plans with little to no out-of-pocket costs. Medical records of prior diagnoses assist in determining your coverage.

As research evolves, humanity is discovering the importance of recognizing the spread of cancer from a hereditary perspective. By understanding the way your DNA is different from other people, you can gain insight on how susceptible you may be to harmful genetic variations. If you find that your genes have become altered over time, you run the risk of advancing these harmful genes down through generations of your bloodline. Obtaining knowledge and awareness through genetic testing can allow you, as well as future generations in your family tree, to take steps in fighting the possibly of acquiring cancer.

A specialist from our company will speak with you to confirm if you are qualified to receive this cancer genetic test.
Once you are qualified to receive your cancer genetics test, we will send the necessary information to the doctor of your choice for authorization.
Upon approval from your healthcare provider, we will quickly ship your testing kit directly to your home.
Your testing kit comes in the form of a non-invasive, buccal mouth swab, which can be completed in the comfort of your home, as opposed to a blood draw performed at an outside facility.
Simple to use, and we will have a dedicated specialist give you a call to walk you through how to complete your test.
Once your test is taken and your sample is shipped to our lab, your results will then be generated and delivered to you.

Our genetics testing lab is located at the Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge campus and is operated in the Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Your genetic testing kit, which includes free, pre-paid shipping, will be shipped to our lab for processing upon completion of your mouth swab test. This process can take as little as 2 weeks to run your sample and have your results distributed to yourself and your healthcare provider by mail. Once you have your results, you and your doctor may choose to build a long-term, preventative care plan based on the outcome of your chances for developing cancer and/or passing on cancer-related genes to your loved ones. In addition, genetic counseling is available as an extra resource to you if help is needed for interpretation of your results.

What is Cancer and How Does Cancer Start?

Cancer is a disease that affects the lives of roughly one-third of people in the United States. There are over 120 different types of cancer that have been discovered and they can be found nearly anywhere on the body, both inside or outside on the surface of the skin. This disease can arise in anyone, at anytime, and can potentially be life-threatening. Many people wonder how cancer starts or where this disease comes from.

Our bodies contain a high number of membrane-bound molecules called cells. Cells act as the building blocks of life and are found in every living thing. Humans have trillions of cells, which allow us to carry out actions such as breaking down nutrients from our food for absorption and converting these nutrients into energy. Cells can also perform several other specialized functions, but in some cases cells may begin to wreak havoc on the body.

As we age, our cells follow a growth and division process. Over time our cells become old or abnormal, in which case they usually die off. Cancer is caused by an uncontrollable growth of cells in a certain area of the body, due to old and abnormal cells remaining alive. As these defective cells stick around in the body, the affected area becomes overcrowded; thwarting off the normal, functional cells from thriving in their natural state. Over time, these harmful cells can severely weaken the immune system, mutate genes, spread to other areas of the body, and cause death if left untreated.

Every human being has a susceptibility for developing cancer at some point throughout their lifetime, especially those with a hereditary predisposition and those who have been previously diagnosed. Genetics play a prominent role in the study of cancer diseases and allow people to understand the possibility of acquiring cancer from family members and/or passing down mutated genes that are linked to cancer onto children and grandchildren. Environmental factors also play a contributing role in the discovery of cancer. These include lifestyle habits such as smoking, poor nutrition, lack of exercise, and other reasons such as overexposure to ultraviolet light, exposure to radiation, and pollution in the air we breathe. These factors significantly elevate the chances of getting cancer. If a person is diagnosed with cancer that is not due to an inherited mutation, there is a possibility the cancer may also spread to those around them, appearing to "run in the family."

Cancer Genetics Testing

Benefits of Getting Genetically Tested for Cancer

How to Get Genetic Testing for Cancer

What is Cancer and How Does Cancer Start?

How to Know if You May Be at Risk for Developing Cancer