19/09/2026
Genetic testing for cancer is primarily required for individuals who meet specific personal or clinical criteria indicating a high risk of hereditary cancer syndromes. According to guidelines from organizations like the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), testing is strongly recommended for individuals diagnosed with cancer at a young age (typically under 50 years old), those with multiple primary cancers, or individuals presenting with rare malignancies such as male breast cancer. A significant requirement is a strong family history, which includes having multiple close relatives diagnosed with interconnected cancers—such as breast, ovarian, pancreatic, or colorectal cancers—or having a known inherited mutation like BRCA1 or BRCA2 already identified in the family. Beyond identifying inherited risks (germline testing), genetic testing of the tumor itself (somatic testing) is increasingly required in oncology to identify targetable mutations and select personalized precision therapies
