Advanced genetic studies

A genetic study is a minimally invasive test that analyzes the genomes of the patient in order to detect any chromosomes alteration. Those alterations could become a disease.

The advanced genetic studies FOCALYX^® Gx help identify and manage an existing inherited disease, giving us information about inexplicably symptoms and measuring the risk of developing a specific disease which affects the same family.

How important is family history when we talk about prostate cancer?

The weight of family history with prostate cancer is important, having a relative that have had prostate cancer increases the risk of having it by 68%.

It is also important to know the family history of other types of tumors to know the risk of having a prostate cancer. For example, having family members with history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer. A family history of breast cancer may increase the risk of having a prostate cancer by 21%.

What is the risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer if I have any genetic alteration?

The risk of having prostate cancer being a carrier of genetic mutations varies depending on the type of tumor and the type of mutation. A mutation is an alteration of part of the genetic information of our body present in our DNA.

The mutations vary depending on the type of cancer. Those more often associated with prostate cancer are the mutations of DNA repair genes, like BRCA2 or HOXB13 among others.

Why men should consider a genetic evaluation?

Knowing the inherited risk for prostate cancer may help you and your family to make decisions for an early diagnosis. Those patients having alterations on specific genes require different monitoring protocols than the rest of the population.

If you already have prostate cancer, knowing that you have a mutation can change the recommendations and treatment options offered by your specialist physician in uro-oncology.

What are the benefits of knowing my genetic information?

Knowing that you have an inherited risk gives you the opportunity of being proactive about your health. One of the most important benefits from the genetic tests is to identify at-risk relatives.

Increase monitoring can identify an early stage cancer that can enhance the possibility of cure.

If you have already been diagnosed with prostate cancer, knowing whether you are or not a carrier of a mutation will help in the decision making process and follow-up schemes.

Frequent reasons why you may be recommended a genetic testing

If you have any of these family medical history:

Any relative diagnosed with prostate cancer before 55 years old or died by prostate cancer before 60 years old.
Three or more types of cancer in the family (breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma, etc.)
Any relative who is a carrier of a genetic mutation

If you have prostate cancer:

You have been diagnosed before 55 years old.
With first degree relatives with prostate cancer.
You have been diagnosed with metastasis.
With adverse information of the tissue under study (intraductal histology, pT3, pN1, ISUP >4)

What is a genetic study about?

A saliva or blood sample is collected at your doctor’s office.
The results will be ready after 2 or 3 weeks. Your doctor will explain it to you and propose a risk reduction plan or a specific action plan for your particular case.