The characteristics of any cell are determined by DNA and cancer is a consequence of abnormalities developing in a cell’s genetic code causing, uncontrolled growth. Mutations give cancer cells inappropriate functions and abilities to grow and thrive in parts of your body where they shouldn’t be able to exist. 

That makes cancer a genetic disease.

In the future, we hope to be able to tell you whether your cancer is set to spread, or if it has already, using non-invasive genomics testing. Currently, there are blood or saliva tests to deliver assessments. Sometimes, these can guide us as to which treatments your cancer may respond well to. 

• Genomics can help us see how close your cells are to gaining all the capabilities they need to become dangerous.
• Some tests under assessment look for rogue by-products that are released by cells when they’re rapidly dividing. You can think of these as something like exhaust fumes from a car that’s over-revving.
• Other tests look for the inability of cells to have the DNA repair mechanisms that would usually prevent mutations from accumulating dangerously.