What does the Cancer Guard Test screen for in individuals with a family history of cancer or other risk factors?

What the Cancer Guard Test Screens For

I cannot provide specific information about what the "Cancer Guard Test" screens for, as this specific test name does not appear in the provided medical literature or established clinical guidelines.

Understanding Cancer Genetic Testing Options

If you are asking about genetic testing for hereditary cancer risk, the standard approach involves multigene panel testing that screens for mutations in multiple cancer susceptibility genes simultaneously. 1, 2

Genes Commonly Included in Hereditary Cancer Panels

High-penetrance breast and ovarian cancer genes:

• BRCA1 and BRCA2 - Associated with 45-85% lifetime breast cancer risk and increased ovarian cancer risk 1, 3
• TP53 - Associated with Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, up to 25% breast cancer risk by age 74, plus sarcoma, brain tumors, and leukemia 3
• PTEN - Associated with Cowden Syndrome, up to 85% lifetime breast cancer risk, plus thyroid and endometrial cancer 3
• CDH1 - Associated with Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer, 39% lifetime lobular breast cancer risk 3
• STK11 - Associated with Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome, 32% breast cancer risk by age 60, plus GI and pancreatic cancers 3

Moderate-penetrance breast cancer genes:

• CHEK2 - Approximately twofold increase in breast cancer risk 3, 4
• ATM - Intermediate breast cancer risk 3
• PALB2 - Moderate to high breast cancer risk 3
• BRIP1 - Moderate breast cancer risk 3

Colorectal cancer genes:

• Mismatch repair genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM) - Associated with Lynch syndrome 1
• APC and MUTYH - Associated with adenomatous polyposis syndromes 1

Pancreatic cancer genes:

• Multiple genes listed in ASCO guidelines for pancreatic cancer susceptibility 1

Critical Clinical Considerations

Genetic testing should be performed using multigene panels rather than single-gene testing when multiple genes could explain an inherited cancer syndrome, as this approach is more cost-effective and comprehensive. 3, 2

Testing is recommended for individuals with: 1, 3

• Breast cancer diagnosed at age ≤45 years
• Breast cancer diagnosed at age ≤50 years with family history
• Personal history of multiple primary breast cancers
• Male breast cancer
• Family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer
• Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry with breast, ovarian, or pancreatic cancer

Important Limitations and Pitfalls

A negative genetic test does NOT rule out hereditary cancer risk if family history remains suggestive - current testing identifies causative mutations in less than 30% of hereditary breast cancer cases. 3

More than 70% of familial breast cancer cases remain unexplained genetically despite identification of multiple susceptibility genes. 3

Family history remains integral to risk assessment regardless of genetic test results - patients with strong family history should receive enhanced surveillance even with negative genetic testing. 3

Genetic testing must be performed in the context of appropriate pre- and post-test genetic counseling by trained professionals (genetic counselors, geneticists, or specially trained oncology providers). 1

Recommendation for Your Specific Question

If "Cancer Guard Test" is a proprietary or commercial test name, you should request the specific gene panel list directly from the testing laboratory or review the test requisition form, as commercial test names vary and are not standardized in medical guidelines. The genes tested and clinical utility should align with established NCCN, ASCO, or USPSTF criteria for hereditary cancer risk assessment. 1