Current age-based genetic testing in patients with cancer may miss the majority of inherited gene variants

Current age-based genetic testing in patients with cancer may miss the majority of inherited gene variants.

Germline genetic screening can identify whether a patient with cancer has inherited genetic alterations in a gene or genes that are implicated in cancer.

These inherited genetic alterations, known as germline pathogenic variants, can cause predispositions to cancer in people who carry them.

Germline pathogenic variants can be used to flag cancer risk in patients' family members, and the presence of these variants may influence treatment decisions.

However, a new study suggests that age-based genetic testing criteria may miss a significant number of these inherited gene variants, potentially leading to missed opportunities for cancer prevention and early detection.