Genetic Sequencing for cancer
Genetic Sequencing for Cancer
Cancer is driven by changes in DNA. Genetic sequencing tests are designed to look for some of these changes in order to better understand the biology of a tumour and, in some cases, help guide treatment decisions. Rather than treating all cancers of the same type as identical, sequencing can reveal important differences at the molecular level that may affect how a cancer behaves and which therapies are more likely to be relevant.
In modern oncology, genetic sequencing is used in a number of different ways. It may be performed on tumour tissue to look for actionable mutations, on blood samples to detect tumour-derived DNA, or on normal cells to identify inherited genetic variants that may influence cancer risk or treatment planning. In some settings, sequencing is already part of standard care. In others, its role is still evolving.
Sequencing can provide valuable information, but it also has limits. Not every mutation found will be clinically useful, not every cancer has a clearly targetable alteration, and results can sometimes raise complex questions without offering an immediate treatment solution. Even so, genetic sequencing has become one of the most important tools in the shift toward more personalised cancer care.
What tests are available and where can I get one?
Tests are available from:
Caris Life Sciences
Last updated January 2026