What is genetic testing?
Genetic testing looks for changes in the genes in your body that can increase your risk of developing different illnesses.
Sometimes the genes that we’ve inherited from our parents have small changes. These are known as genetic variants. If one of our genes has a variant, this can sometimes mean we have an increased risk of developing different illnesses compared to those who don't have it. Inherited genetic variants are known as germline gene variants.
What is genomic testing?
Genomic testing looks for variants within a tumour. This type of testing is called somatic testing. You might also hear it called tumour testing. Somatic variants aren’t found in the normally healthy cells of someone with cancer and can’t be inherited.
Both germline and somatic testing should be done if you have ovarian cancer.