Comprehensive Hereditary Cancer Panel (154 Genes)

The Comprehensive Hereditary Cancer Panel is an extensive genetic test that analyses 154 genes associated with hereditary cancer syndromes to assess an individual’s inherited risk of developing various types of cancer. Unlike sporadic cancers that arise due to acquired mutations over a lifetime, hereditary cancers are caused by specific gene mutations that are passed down through families and can significantly increase a person’s lifetime risk of developing one or more types of cancer. This panel goes far beyond single-gene or small multi-gene tests by simultaneously examining a wide range of genes linked to hereditary breast, ovarian, colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, prostate, uterine, and several other cancers in a single, comprehensive test. Identifying a hereditary mutation not only helps the individual understand their personal cancer risk but also has important implications for their close biological relatives who may carry the same mutation. The Comprehensive Hereditary Cancer Panel is one of the most thorough genetic risk assessment tools available today, offering a complete and detailed picture of inherited cancer predisposition in a single test.
Who Should Get This Test Done?

The Comprehensive Hereditary Cancer Panel is recommended for individuals who:

●      Have been diagnosed with cancer at an unusually young age, typically before 50 years

●      Have a personal history of two or more primary cancers, either of the same or different types

●      Have a close family member who has been diagnosed with a hereditary cancer syndrome such as BRCA1/2, Lynch syndrome, or Li-Fraumeni syndrome

●      Have a family history of multiple relatives on the same side of the family with the same or related types of cancer

●      Have been diagnosed with a rare cancer type that is strongly associated with hereditary syndromes, such as male breast cancer or ovarian cancer

Why Consider This Test?

Hereditary cancers account for a meaningful proportion of all cancer cases, and identifying an inherited genetic mutation can be life-changing in the most positive sense - it shifts the situation from uncertainty to informed action. When a pathogenic mutation is identified through this panel, it allows individuals and their doctors to put in place proactive surveillance strategies, preventive interventions, and lifestyle modifications that can significantly reduce cancer risk or catch it at the earliest and most treatable stage. For example, women found to carry BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations can opt for enhanced breast and ovarian cancer screening or consider risk-reducing surgical options. The panel’s broad scope of 154 genes also means that mutations in less commonly tested genes - which might be missed on a smaller panel - are not overlooked.

More Information

The Comprehensive Hereditary Cancer Panel is performed on a blood sample or a saliva sample, as the test analyses germline DNA — the inherited genetic material present in every cell of the body rather than just the tumour cells. The test uses next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology to simultaneously analyse all 154 genes in the panel for pathogenic variants, likely pathogenic variants, and variants of uncertain significance across a wide spectrum of hereditary cancer syndromes. Results are typically available within two to four weeks (Terms and Conditions apply) and are presented in a detailed genetic report that categorises findings by their clinical significance and associated cancer risks. Given the complexity and personal nature of the results, it is strongly recommended that the test be ordered and the results be discussed in consultation with a certified genetic counsellor or medical geneticist who can help interpret the findings, explain their implications, and guide next steps for the individual and their family. It is also important to understand that a negative result does not entirely rule out hereditary cancer risk, as there may be mutations in genes not included in the panel or other hereditary factors that contribute to family cancer patterns.

Other Names

●      Hereditary Cancer Gene Panel

●      Multi-Gene Hereditary Cancer Panel

●      Germline Cancer Mutation Panel

●      Inherited Cancer Risk Panel

●      Hereditary Cancer NGS Panel

●      Cancer Predisposition Gene Panel

●      Familial Cancer Genetic Panel

●      Comprehensive Cancer Susceptibility Panel