Genetic testing is appropriate when:

Genetic testing is particularly relevant for individuals who are at high risk for developing inherited cancers, such as those with a family history of certain types of cancer or specific genetic mutations associated with increased cancer risk. This type of testing can help identify genetic predispositions to conditions like breast and ovarian cancer (e.g., BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations), allowing for proactive measures, including enhanced surveillance, preventative surgery, or targeted therapies.

In contrast, determining the effectiveness of a treatment, checking for cancer presence, or evaluating whether all cancer has been removed typically rely on other diagnostic methods or imaging studies rather than genetic testing. These situations often focus on ongoing management, monitoring, or physical assessment of cancer rather than assessing genetic risk factors. Hence, the appropriateness of genetic testing aligns specifically with identifying inherited risk in individuals predisposed to cancer.