Genetic Testing

Knowing about the presence of a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation can be lifesaving. There are many interventions that can increase the chance for early diagnosis and/or lower the chances for developing cancer. Men and women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation may:... Full Answer

Women with a strong family history of breast cancer (at early ages), should discuss whether they should undergo genetic testing. In some families, family history can be explained by the presence of an error in a gene that you inherit from either your... Full Answer

DNA fingerprinting is done to: Determine who a person's parents or siblings are. This test also may be used to identify the parents of babies who were switched at birth. Solve crimes (forensic science). Blood, semen, skin or other tissue left at the... Full Answer

Blood sample from a vein: DNA that is used to establish paternity is collected from a blood sample. The health professional drawing blood will: Wrap an elastic band around your upper arm to stop the flow of blood. This makes the veins below the band... Full Answer

To prepare for DNA fingerprinting, tell your doctor if you have had a blood transfusion within the past three months. No other special preparation is required. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have about the need for DNA fingerprinting, its... Full Answer

Before you have DNA fingerprinting, it is important to know the following: Because DNA fingerprinting has been used to identify bodies, such as military personnel killed in action or crime victims, DNA databases (much like fingerprint databases) have... Full Answer

Blood sample from a vein: There is very little risk of complications from having blood drawn from a vein. You may develop a small bruise at the puncture site. You can reduce the risk of bruising by keeping pressure on the site for several minutes after... Full Answer

Blood sample from a vein: You may feel nothing at all from the needle puncture, or you may feel a brief sting or pinch as the needle goes through the skin. Some people feel a stinging pain while the needle is in the vein. But many people do not feel any... Full Answer

DNA fingerprinting is a test to identify and evaluate the genetic information, called DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), in a person's cells. DNA samples can: Determine who a person's parents are (establish paternity). Tissue samples from two people can also... Full Answer

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include: Sample size. The possibility of having inaccurate test results increases if a very small sample of DNA is available for testing. The chance that the DNA will be... Full Answer