Age-Based Genetic Testing Misses 72% of Patients with Inherited Cancer Variants

Universal germline genetic testing catches missed cancer risks in older patients

Universal germline genetic testing of nearly 40,000 patients with solid tumors detected a substantial proportion of inherited gene variants that would have been missed by the standard germline testing approach that excludes those over age 50.

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 certain germline pathogenic variants can also p…

Age-Based Genetic Testing Misses 72% of Patients with Inherited Cancer Variants

Age-based testing criteria could miss 72% of cancer patients carrying inherited pathogenic variants, potentially overlooking information important for treatment, prevention, and families.

Age-Based Genetic Testing Rules May Miss Most Inherited Cancer Risk, Study

A study of nearly 40,000 cancer patients found that age-based germline genetic testing policies would miss about 72 percent of carriers of inherited pathogenic variants, supporting universal testing regardless of age.