Understanding the genetic test

A genetic test for susceptibility to colorectal cancer is different from a common blood test, and you should be aware of its particularities.

The doctor or geneticist from your family risk appointment will closely orientate the whole process, and the person to go to answer any doubt.

Guidance from a trained professional should make you feel secure to carry out (or not) the test, and to make any future decisions related to it.

In this section we will introduce a few central issues that reveal the subject complexity:

> Genetic testing has several stages : 

 some families will not be able to perform them, for example, if there are no living relatives who had the disease.   

> Limitations  of the test: 

   contrary to what is thought, the genetic test result can be inconclusive.

> Results : 

  Depending on the type of test, the reading of a result (positive or negative) can be substantially different.  

> Confidentiality and health Insurance: :

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Talk with your doctor – he/she is the right professional to guide you before and after the test, particularly if your family cannot be tested, or in the case of an inconclusive result.