Genetic medicine has advanced a great deal. There are debates regarding the advantages and disadvantages of genetic testing and how it can help in preventing prostate cancer.

The first description of the DNA double helix was back in 1953. This triggered a revolution in the way human beings understood themselves. The entire DNA sequence of human beings known as the genome is powerful information. Understanding genetics brings about possibilities for fighting, preventing and understanding various diseases, which also includes the prostate cancer DNA testing.

Genetic testing for detecting prostate cancer

There are numerous benefits of gene testing for prostate cancer as well as personalized medicine for individuals who have already been diagnosed with the ailment. However, there are some significant questions about using prostate cancer DNA testing for screening, diagnosing and preventing prostate cancer.

According to experts, genetic testing is available for males who have risk factors relating to prostate cancer, but not for men with a strong family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer. These cancers are strongly associated with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations which are the common genes for prostate cancer that can be tested for inherited mutations at the present. This is due to the fact that testing can only be done when the experts are aware of the associated risk of a specific gene mutation and how to utilize that information.

Various concepts of prostate cancer risk

The components of prostate cancer DNA testing include reinforcing the significance of detailed family history, various concepts of prostate cancer risk, and encouraging the participation of those individuals with numerous affected family members. Prostate cancer is believed to affect about 1 in every 9 American males during their lifetime.

Family history documentation depends on several factors. These factors are the history of cancer in both paternal and maternal bloodlines, primary cancer diagnosis, ethnicity, race and other health issues such as benign prostatic hypertrophy.

Multigene tests for different variants in genes relating to prostate cancer susceptibility are presently available and are increasingly being used in healthcare facilities. Many centers are using the clinical utility of germ-line genetic testing as well as counseling for such patients.