Most of us don't think about cancer until it touches someone we love. But if cancer runs in your family, you may have wondered, could I be at higher risk too? Genetic testing can help answer that question and knowing is always better than wondering.
Be.Well
09 Jul, 2026
You'll usually get the results of genetic tests to check your cancer risk within a few weeks. If your results show you do not have genes that increase your risk of getting cancer, you will not need to do anything else.
If your results show you have genes that increase your chance of getting cancer, a genetic counsellor should talk to you about your results, offer support, and explain what happens next.
You may be offered further tests, or treatments to lower your risk of getting cancer. You may also get advice on lifestyle changes which can lower your risk of cancer.
The genetic counsellor may also talk to you about telling any relatives who may have the same faulty gene, so they can think about getting tested. Ask to talk to a healthcare professional if you have questions about your results.
Adapted from: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/genetic-tests-for-cancer-risk/
