Research Study Seeking Participants: Genetic Testing After A Cancer Diagnosis

The INTERCEPTioN study (INTERogating Cancer for Etiology, Prevention and Therapy Navigation) looks at how broad genetic testing for cancer is used in everyday cancer care. It aims to understand how well this testing fits into routine clinical practice and what impact it has when used in real‑world settings.

Genetic Testing in Cancer

Genetic testing after a cancer diagnosis is important as it can help identify the cause of your cancer or guide treatment options. There are two main forms of genetic testing: Hereditary and Tumor.

What is hereditary or inherited cancer?

Hereditary or inherited cancer is caused by a gene variant (also known as a gene mutation) that is passed down from parents to children. A variant is a change in a gene that causes the gene to not work correctly. Many genes, when not working properly, are linked with an increased risk of developing certain cancers.

A family history of certain cancers can be a sign of hereditary cancer risk. Yet, it is possible to have an inherited
cancer gene variant even with no strong family history of cancer.

What is tumor DNA sequencing ?

A different type of genetic testing, called tumor DNA sequencing, is sometimes performed to determine if your individual cancer cells have genetic changes that can be used to guide treatment.

Both types of tests are an important part of precision medicine, also called personalized medicine. Precision medicine is an approach to medical care in which disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment are tailored to the genes, proteins, and other substances in your body.

Why is genetic testing after a cancer diagnosis important?

Genetic testing may reveal if you carry an inherited gene variant related to your cancer diagnosis. Testing positive for a gene variant may also increase your lifetime risk of developing more than one kind of cancer. In addition, genetic testing on your individual cancer cells can help determine personalized treatment options specifically for you and your cancer treatment.

Knowing if you have a cancer gene variant related to your cancer may help:

• Identify alternate treatment options that are directed to your cancer
• Guide early screening or prevention strategies to detect or prevent future cancers
• Identify cancer risk for your biological family members

Is my family at risk for hereditary cancer?

Inherited variants can pass from a parent to a child. If you test positive for a hereditary gene variant related to your cancer, there is a 50-50 chance your parents, siblings or children will have the same variant. Having a gene variant increases a person’s risk for cancer; however, not everyone who has a gene variant develops cancer.

How is Mayo Clinic using genetic testing to guide cancer care?

INTERCEPTioN is a pilot using genetic testing both in clinical practice and research to guide cancer care. All Mayo Clinic patients with a diagnosis of cancer are invited to take part.

Information learned will be used to better understand the genetic causes of cancer and may lead to the development of new therapies or prevention strategies.

Genetic testing as part of INTERCEPTioN has two parts:

Clinical genetic testing may:

• Identify alternative treatment options for you including clinical trials of new medications
• Guide prevention or screening strategies for future cancer risk
• Identify cancer risk for family members

The purpose of genetic testing is to:

• Better understand the role of genetics in the development of cancer
• Better understand trends across cancer types and testing needs
• Help develop new cancer therapies and prevention strategies
• Understand the patient experience with genetic testing

Join the study

Click here to find participation eligibility for the INTERCEPTioN study. Questions? Contact the Cancer Center Clinical Trials Referral Office at (855) 776-0015.