Cancer genetic testing in Seoul, with counseling first

What cancer genetic testing in Seoul looks for

Cancer genetic testing in Seoul at VEI Clinic examines inherited DNA changes, called pathogenic variants, that raise the lifetime risk of certain cancers. The most widely known examples are BRCA1 and BRCA2, linked to breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancer, and the Lynch syndrome genes, linked to bowel, endometrial and stomach cancer. Multigene panels can look at several such genes at once from a blood or saliva sample.

This is different from tests that look for cancer already present, such as ultrasound, endoscopy or tumor markers. A hereditary test answers a narrower question: did you inherit a change that makes certain cancers more likely, so that screening and prevention should start earlier or be more intensive?

Because the sample is sent to a specialized laboratory and the result can matter for decades, we treat this as a medical decision rather than a quick add-on to a checkup. Dr. Park, who has treated patients in Korea since 2010, takes the time to make sure the test fits your situation.

Who it suits, and who may not need it

Testing is most informative when your personal or family history fits a hereditary pattern. Dr. HyunSung Park reviews your family tree in detail before recommending anything.

• Several close relatives on the same side of the family with the same or related cancers, such as breast and ovarian, or bowel and endometrial.
• Cancer diagnosed at a young age in you or a close relative, for example breast or bowel cancer before 50.
• A relative already known to carry a pathogenic variant.
• Personal history of certain cancers, such as ovarian, pancreatic, male breast or triple-negative breast cancer.
• If your family history is not suggestive, testing is less likely to change your care, and standard age-based screening may be the more useful step.

Why counseling matters before and after the test

Genetic results can affect you, your children and your siblings, and sometimes raise questions about insurance, family planning and preventive surgery. In Korea, genetic testing also requires informed written consent. So the first visit is a counseling conversation: what will be tested, what the possible results are, how you might feel about each, and who else in your family might be affected.

After the result, we go through it 1:1 in English. For complex or positive results, Dr. Park refers you to a clinical geneticist, genetic counselor or the relevant hospital specialist for further counseling and management.

Limits, uncertain results and false reassurance

A genetic test does not predict cancer with certainty. Carrying a BRCA variant raises risk substantially, but many carriers never develop cancer. A negative result does not mean zero risk: most cancers are not inherited, and lifestyle, age and other genes still matter. If your family has a known variant and you test negative for it, your risk usually returns to around the population level, but routine screening still applies.

Some results come back as a variant of uncertain significance. This is common, especially with larger panels, and usually should not change care on its own; many are later reclassified as harmless. Consumer DNA kits and wellness gene tests are not designed for diagnosis and can miss important variants, so we do not use them to make medical decisions.

Preparation, results and what happens next

No fasting is needed. Bring as much family history as you can: which relatives had cancer, the type, and their age at diagnosis. If a relative has already had genetic testing, a copy of their report is extremely helpful, because targeted testing for a known family variant is more precise.

Results usually take a few weeks. Depending on the outcome, next steps may include earlier or more frequent screening such as breast imaging, colonoscopy or ultrasound, lifestyle risk reduction, discussion of preventive options with a specialist, and guidance on informing relatives who may wish to be tested. Hospital-based procedures are arranged through referral. If you notice a new lump, unexplained bleeding, black stools or rapid weight loss, do not wait for genetic results; see a doctor promptly, and for severe symptoms call 119.