Cancer genetic testing looks at the genes you were born with to see whether an inherited change raises your risk of certain cancers. It is different from tumour biomarker testing — and it can protect not only you, but your whole family.

At Indian OncoCare, genetic testing and its implications are guided by Dr. Harish Kancharla, DM (Medical Oncology, AIIMS Delhi), MD (Internal Medicine, PGIMER Chandigarh), Senior Consultant – Medical Oncology & Hemato-Oncology at Yashoda Hospitals, Somajiguda, Hyderabad, with genetic counselling support.

Inherited genetic testing versus tumour testing

It helps to keep two ideas separate. Germline (inherited) genetic testing, usually from a blood or saliva sample, looks for gene changes present from birth — such as BRCA1/BRCA2 or the Lynch syndrome genes — that raise cancer risk and can run in families. Tumour biomarker testing, part of molecular oncology, looks at changes within a cancer to guide its treatment. This page is about the first; both can be useful, and sometimes they overlap.

Who should consider genetic testing

Genetic testing may be worth considering if you have:

A strong family history of cancer, especially breast, ovarian, colorectal or uterine cancer
Cancer diagnosed at a young age, or more than one cancer
A specific cancer where inherited risk is known to matter
A relative with a known inherited cancer gene

It is particularly relevant alongside breast, ovarian and colorectal cancers, where hereditary syndromes are well recognised.

Why genetic counselling matters

Genetic results can have real consequences — for your treatment, for screening, and for relatives who may wish to be tested. Genetic counselling helps you understand what a result does and does not mean, decide whether to test, and plan sensible next steps such as earlier screening or risk-reducing options. Testing is always a choice, made with full information and privacy.

Why choose Indian OncoCare

Dr. Harish Kancharla, DM (Medical Oncology, AIIMS Delhi), MD (Internal Medicine, PGIMER Chandigarh) helps you decide whether testing is worthwhile, interprets the results in the context of your care, and coordinates next steps for you and your family, delivered through Yashoda Hospitals, Somajiguda, Hyderabad. Learn more about precision medicine and molecular oncology.

Support for patients and families

A cancer diagnosis affects the whole family, and practical support matters as much as medical treatment. Our patient support resources help you prepare for consultations and understand each step, while our financial guidance can help you understand treatment costs and the insurance or assistance options that may be available.

You can find more guidance and checklists in our patient resources section. Patients travelling from outside Hyderabad or from abroad usually begin with an online consultation before continuing in person — see our international patients page for how this is coordinated.

Frequently asked questions

Does a positive result mean I will get cancer?

No. It means the risk is higher than average, not certain. It allows earlier screening and preventive steps that can genuinely help.

Is this the same as tumour testing?

No. Inherited testing looks at genes you were born with; tumour biomarker testing looks at the cancer itself to guide treatment.

Should my family be tested?

If an inherited gene change is found, relatives can be offered testing and, if needed, earlier screening — which is one of the main benefits.

Who guides me through this?

Dr. Harish Kancharla, DM (Medical Oncology, AIIMS Delhi), MD (Internal Medicine, PGIMER Chandigarh), with genetic counselling support, guides the decision and next steps personally.