Requisition Form | Q Answer Lab

When will I receive my results?

On average, results are ready in 3 to 4 weeks from when your sample is received with all required documentation from the ordering provider.

How does Q answer hereditary cancer testing work?

Q answer offers the most advanced tests for hereditary cancer. With a saliva sample, we are able to sequence and analyze the patient’s genetic material(DNA) to determine if any genetic changes exist that may increase the patient’s risk of a hereditary cancer syndrome. The data collected during testing is analyzed and translated into an easy to understand report. This report may be used by providers to help create personalized health management plans for their patients.

Benefits of Genetic Testing:

Genetic testing for hereditary cancer may determine which individuals were born with a predisposition to cancer. Identification of abnormal genes may provide information regarding cancer risks, best screening approaches, and well-informed health management recommendations. In other words, genetic testing may help to prevent cancer or aid in early diagnosis.

In general, who should be tested for hereditary (inherited) cancer syndrome?

Patients with relatives with the same type of cancer.

Patients with relatives diagnosed with cancer at young ages (usually<50).

1st degree relatives, 2nd degree relatives, 3rd degree relatives.

Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer.

What do the results of genetic testing mean?

Positive Result: A positive test result means that the laboratory found a genetic variant that is associated with an inherited cancer susceptibility syndrome. A positive result may: For a person, who has cancer, confirm that the cancer was likely due to an inherited genetic variant and help guide treatment choices.

Indicate an increased risk of developing certain cancer(s) in the future and guide future management to lower that risk.
Provide important information that can help other family members make decisions about their own health care, such as whether to have genetic testing to see if they have also inherited the variant.
Also, people who have a positive test result that indicates that they have an increased risk of developing cancer in the future may be able to take steps to lower their risk of developing cancer or to find cancer earlier, including: Being checked at a younger age or more often for signs of cancer
Reducing their cancer risk by taking medications or having surgery to remove “at-risk” tissue (These approaches to risk reduction are options for only a few inherited cancer syndromes.)
Changing personal behaviors (like quitting smoking, getting more exercise, and eating a healthier diet) to reduce the risk of certain cancers
Getting help to guide decisions about fertility and pregnancy

Negative Result: A negative test result means that the laboratory did not find the specific variant that the test was designed to detect. This result is most useful when a specific disease-causing variant is known to be present in a family. In such a case, a negative result can show that the tested family member has not inherited the variant that is present in their family and that this person therefore does not have the inherited cancer susceptibility syndrome tested for. Such a test result is called a true negative. A true negative result does not mean that there is no cancer risk, but rather that the risk is probably the same as the cancer risk in the general population. When a person has a strong family history of cancer but the family has not been found to have a known variant associated with a hereditary cancer syndrome, a negative test result is classified as an uninformative negative (that is, it typically does not provide useful information). In the case of a negative test result, it is important that the person’s doctors and genetic counselors ensure that that person is receiving appropriate cancer screening based on that person’s personal and family history and any other risk factors they may have. Even when the genetic testing is negative, some individuals may still benefit from increased cancer surveillance.

Genetic test results are based on the best scientific information available at the time of the testing. While unfortunately no testing can be 100% error free, most genetic testing is quite accurate.

Genetic Testing and Discrimination

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA), is a Federal law that prohibits discrimination in health coverage and employment based on genetic information. GINA prohibits health insurers or health plan administrators from requesting or requiring genetic information of an individual or the individual’s family members or using their genetic information to make decisions regarding coverage, rates, or preexisting conditions under most circumstances. GINA also prohibits many employers from discriminating against employees based on their personal genetic information. Additional information about GINA may be found on the website: