Colon Cancer Genetic Testing

How Accurate Is the Test?

Although these blood tests are highly reliable, no test is 100% accurate. The test cannot tell you when or whether you will develop colon cancer. Testing negative for an inherited colon cancer gene does not mean you will never get colon cancer. It means your risk of colon cancer is about the same as that of the average person.

There are many different genetic mutations that can lead to FAP or HNPCC. Genetic testing does not find all of them. Because of this, a person may have a normal genetic test but still have an increased chance of having an inherited colon cancer.

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Author:	Douglas Dana Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: March 19, 2007
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology Arvydas D. Vanagunas, MD - Gastroenterology
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