New Study: Genetic testing for inherited mutations may be helpful for all people with advanced or metastatic cancer

In a study of nearly 12,000 cancer patients with a variety of cancers, eight percent of participants with metastatic cancer had an inherited mutation in a cancer gene that qualified them for a targeted treatment or participation in a clinical trial. The majority of people with metastatic cancer were unaware that they had an inherited mutation, and had not received gene-directed treatment to which their tumor may have responded. Of the study participants, 17% tested positive for an inherited mutation in a gene linked to cancer and a potential treatment based on genetic test results existed for 10% of patients in this study. The most commonly found mutation was one of the two BRCA genes. The study authors suggest that genetic testing for inherited mutations may be warranted for all patients with advanced or metastatic cancer. To learn more and read further into this study, please click here.