Cancer Genetic Testing (Early Detection of Cancer Risk)

· Those around Tokyo and interested in Cancer Screening.
· Those with family history of cancer.
· Those who are at risk of cancer types that are linked to inherited genetic mutations, such as ovarian cancer and prostate cancer.
· Those who want to find out if they have genes that may pass increased cancer risk to their children.
· Those who want a guide in caring for their health and managing cancer risks.

If you have a family history of cancer or have 2 or more relatives affected by the disease, Cancer Genetic Testing can help with your diagnosis or lowering your risks of developing cancer in your lifetime. It can help to find out your susceptibility to inherit cancer by looking at specific changes or mutations in your genes, chromosomes or proteins. Your inherited variants in the genes can have neutral, beneficial, harmful or unknown effects towards your risks of developing cancer. Harmful variants are known to be related with an increased risk of getting cancer.

Sometimes, cancer is not even caused by an inherited variant but a common lifestyle, such as smoking or unhealthy diets and may seem like it is 'inherited'. But certain factors may say a lot about the risks to develop some types of cancer, like breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, and stomach cancer, among others.

1. Consultation, family history checking, and risk assessment will be done.
2. Your informed consent will be requested.
3. A thin needle will be put into a vein to collect blood.
4. 20 ml of blood will be collected.
5. Blood will be tested.
6. End of procedure. Results can be obtained in several weeks or longer.

<Advantages>
· Provides a cancer risk assessment
· Gives a guidance to take steps in lowering cancer risks, such as adapting to a more active lifestyle
· Gives a chance to learn more and be informed about your health
· Potential in giving positive changes in family's lifestyle to lower cancer risks

<Limitations>
· Results may take time to be completed (usually 2 to 4 weeks)
· Possible anxiety and worries about self and family relationship after getting the result

· Positive
This means that you have a mutated gene (or genes) that put you at risk for developing cancer. Your family members could also have inherited the mutation and be at risk.

· Negative
This means you do not have mutation in the genes being tested. This does not mean your risk is zero, but you have the same average risk as other people.

· Inconclusive or a variant of uncertain significance
This means that testing found a change in 1 or more of the genes being tested, but it’s not clear if that change can cause an increased risk for cancer. You (and your family) may still be at a higher risk of developing cancer.

· Changing to a healthier and more active lifestyle
· Taking medicines to reduce risks
· Preventive or prophylactic surgery: Procedure to remove a healthy organ or gland to avoid cancer from starting there
· Early detection: Get screening tests and consultation with a doctor when the cancer is most probably small and treatment is most likely to be successful

Q1: If I take this genetic test, can I skip any cancer screening?
A1: This test is only aimed at assessing cancer risks as a method to prevent it from developing. You still need to go to cancer screening if you are at high risk.

Q2: Will this test affect the body by radiation?
A2: The only necessary procedure is to collect blood from you. No radiation, electromagnetic waves etc are used for this test.

Q3: What do the results mean in both genetic test and cancer screening?
A3: If you have no abnormality in both test, you are not at high risk. If you are tested positive for an increased risk in cancer genetic test only, then it's an opportunity to prevent cancer from developing. However, if cancer is discovered during cancer screening, you can get an early treatment which increases the chance to recover.

Q4: I found out that I am at risk. What should I do now?
A4: Please consult with the doctor on prevention, follow-up observation, treatment plan or lifestyle changes. It's also important to get counseling if you are anxious or feel like this affects your emotions greatly.

[Clinic Name] Omotesando Helene
[Location]: Tokyo, Japan
[Nearest Stations / Attractions] Takes about 7 mins walking distance to Cat Street, 5 mins to Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum and 4 mins to Aoyama Gakuin University
[Clinic Opening Time] Everyday except Wednesday (10:00AM - 7:00PM)