Understanding the genetic testing process from start to finish can help reduce uncertainty and make the experience more comfortable. Modern hereditary cancer testing programs have simplified the process significantly, often allowing you to complete testing entirely from home.
Step 1: Risk Assessment
The process typically begins with a risk assessment — a structured questionnaire about your personal health history, your family’s cancer history, and your ethnic background. This assessment helps determine whether you meet clinical guideline criteria for genetic testing.
Many assessments can now be completed online in about five minutes. The questions are designed to evaluate your history against criteria from organizations like the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN).
Step 2: Pre-Test Education
Before collecting a sample, you will typically receive education about what genetic testing involves, what kinds of results are possible, and how results may affect you and your family. This step ensures you are making an informed decision about proceeding with testing.
Step 3: Genetic Counseling
A pre-test consultation with a licensed genetic counselor provides an opportunity to discuss your specific situation, ask questions, and review the implications of possible results. Genetic counselors are trained healthcare professionals who specialize in helping people understand genetic information and make informed decisions.
Should You Get Tested?
Free 60-second screener based on NCCN guidelines — no account needed
Check Your Eligibility →Step 4: Sample Collection
For at-home testing, you will receive a saliva collection kit with clear instructions. The process takes just a few minutes:
- Register your kit using the provided instructions
- Avoid eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth for 30 minutes before collection
- Provide a saliva sample into the collection tube
- Seal the tube and place it in the prepaid return envelope
- Mail the sample to the certified laboratory
Step 5: Laboratory Analysis
Your sample is analyzed in a CLIA-certified laboratory using next-generation sequencing technology. The lab examines the specific genes included in your test panel, looking for pathogenic variants, likely pathogenic variants, and variants of uncertain significance. Results are typically available within two to three weeks.
Step 6: Results and Post-Test Counseling
When your results are ready, you will have a follow-up session with a genetic counselor to review and interpret the findings. The counselor will explain what your results mean in the context of your personal and family history, discuss any recommended next steps, and address your questions.
Learn more about what different result categories mean in our guide to understanding your genetic test results. For questions about cost and coverage, see our article on insurance and privacy protections.