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Advise about treatment options, questions when meeting with our dr
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Sep 12, 2025 | Replies (29)Comment receiving replies
Ask about having genetic and somatic testing. The first one is to see if he has dna mutations that run in the family. They take a swab in your mouth for the test. I think the other is used to find specific information about the cancer cells themselves. For this one they use the tissue from the biopsy. A good doc will have these tests done as they are used to plan treatments. Not sure if I explained this correctly. Please correct where necessary! (My husband is a Gleason with many aggressive features.)
Replies to "Ask about having genetic and somatic testing. The first one is to see if he has..."
Thank you so much for your response. I will definitely ask about that. And yes, both of my husbands parents died of cancer.
Linda
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Getting both of those tests may make sense, but it’s a little too early to get a somatic test. As long as you live in the United States, you can get the hereditary test for free at
Prostatecancerpromise.org
Don’t check the box that you want your doctor involved or they won’t send you the kit until after talking to your doctor.
Takes about three weeks for the results and A genetic counselor will call you to discuss the results. You will also get a printout of the results.
The somatic test can tell you, whether or not the cancer itself has created genetic anomalies. If they have, you can get treatment for some of the things found. They can use blood or tissue for the somatic test.