| Abstract: | Cancer is a disease that arises from genetic mutations that are environmental, inherited, or random in nature. Improvements in technology with next-generation sequencing have made genetic testing and mutation profiling more accessible. It is possible to understand what drives cancerous cell growth and, in some cases, target therapy specifically to those mutations. This article reviews the pathways that can lead to cancer formation, the types of genes involved, options for genetic sequencing, and the role of the nurse practitioner in keeping patients and families informed. |
