Cancer Gene Testing
What is cancer gene testing?
A genetic test for cancer called the "CANTECT Genetic Test" can assess the risk of the presence of minute cancers that are difficult to detect by imaging diagnostics by examining genes circulating in the blood and genetic abnormalities in blood mononuclear cells. This test increases the possibility of early cancer detection. It also enables preventive management in cases where the patient does not have cancer, and recurrence prevention management in cases where the patient has had cancer surgery.
What are oncogenes?
These are genes involved in "carcinogenesis," including genes that promote cell proliferation and genes that suppress cell proliferation. It is believed that cancer develops when these genes are gradually destroyed by mutation or methylation.
"Cancer gene testing" can assess the risk of the presence of cancer cells by examining abnormalities in the cancer genes of normal cells.
Cancer-related genes by site
Major cancer genes targeted for testing in each organ in the human body
Inspection process
Differences between cancer genetic testing and other tests
Differences from general cancer screening
Current cancer screening is performed using imaging tests. If an abnormality is found during imaging tests, cells from the abnormal area are collected and a pathology test is performed to diagnose cancer. Therefore, only cancers that have grown large enough to be seen by imaging tests can be detected.
However, cancer genetic testing has the potential to detect minute cancers that cannot be detected by imaging tests. Finding minute cancers early makes it possible to fight cancer preventatively.
No prior dietary restrictions or medication are required.
Difference from tumor markers
Tumor markers are proteins derived from cancer tissue that are released into the blood, and when the tumor marker value is high, cancer in the related tissue is suspected. By testing for several tumor markers, various cancers can be screened, but in many cases, small cancers only produce tumor markers at levels that cannot be judged as abnormal, so they are not very suitable for early cancer detection.
However, cancer gene testing detects genes (DNA and RNA) released into the blood from cancer cells, making it possible to evaluate the risk of the presence of even the smallest cancers.
Differences from general genetic testing
Commonly performed genetic tests for cancer check for cancer-specific genetic abnormalities.
In contrast, cancer genetic testing examines the genetic abnormalities that occur in stages before cancer develops.
This test can therefore not only determine whether or not cancer is present, but also whether or not there is the possibility of developing cancer.
