Many abnormal genetic test results do not mean a 100% certainty for you to get cancer. Many genetic tests only tell you about your risk for cancer. This may be called an “abnormal” or “positive” test result, which can sometimes be confusing. Testing positive for a mutation in a cancer gene usually means that you have an increased risk to develop cancer, as compared to people without that mutation.
Some people with a cancer gene mutation never actually get cancer, but they do have an increased chance to get cancer over their lifetime. Because of this increased risk, people with a cancer gene mutation can often begin cancer screening/tests at an earlier age and have them more often, or pursue cancer prevention options, after learning about their increased risk.
