Does cancer run in your family?
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If you or your loved ones have been affected by hereditary cancer, you must be wondering how you can use this knowledge in the future and be proactive when it comes to prevention.
Here is something to give you that extra push you need to become more active when it comes to prevention.
In this article, we'll shed some light on hereditary cancer and show you that there's a smart and empowered way to go about it — and it involves your DNA.
Protect yourself and your family with genetic screening
In an era where medical advancements continue to transform the landscape of healthcare, one fundamental truth remains unchanged: prevention is undeniably the most powerful weapon against cancer.
Our Cancer Screen DNA test is an excellent example of such medical advancement — the latest next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology allows us to reveal your hereditary cancer risk through a simple saliva-based test.
By examining up to 90 genes, it can assess risk for 25 types of hereditary cancer, including breast, ovarian, prostate, colorectal, and others.
Identifying cancer risk in your family
Cancer screening tests do not predict if you or your family will develop cancer, but they do detect genetic changes that increase risk, giving you the chance of better prevention.
They detect the presence of pathogenic variants, which increase an individual's lifetime risk of developing cancer by up to 99%.
For example, a pathogenic variant in the BRCA1 gene can elevate the risk of breast cancer by up to 85%, compared to the average risk of 13%.
If this sounds familiar, you might have heard Angelina Jolie's story. When her mother died of breast cancer, she took a DNA test which showed that she carries the BRCA1 gene pathogenic variant and has an 85% higher chance of developing breast cancer herself.
Angelina took the necessary preventive measures in the form of a double mastectomy. She made sure her children would not have to go through the same experience as she did by losing her mother.
Taking the Cancer Screen DNA test is especially advisable if you have a parent who carries a pathogenic variant, as this increases your chances of having it by 50%.
But its most critical aspect is that you may not even know that a pathogenic variant runs in your family, as a person who inherits the pathogenic variant may not always develop cancer. . That's why the test is valuable for anyone wanting to discover their cancer risk.
Interpreting your results with expert guidance
While the statistics above might sound daunting, it is essential to remember that knowledge is power, and the Cancer Screen DNA test is here to provide support and awareness.
The test also includes specific information on every discovered pathogenic variant and its potential impact on the cancer development risk.
But you don't need to worry about interpreting your results alone.
The doctor will help you do this. If any results return positive, a clinical geneticist or oncologist is also here to offer additional information. Together, you can determine your next steps.
The power of awareness
Once aware of your hereditary cancer risk, you can take proactive steps towards prevention and early detection. Prevention could involve lifestyle changes and decisions that can lower the risk of cancer development.
These lifestyle changes may include:
The results also tell you how these variants can affect your family. This information is invaluable if one of your family members or you've already been diagnosed with cancer.
It means you get to help your loved ones become more aware of your shared genetic predisposition and consequently help them avoid going through the same experience.
Results you can trust
We understand the importance of accurate and dependable results in making informed decisions about your health, especially regarding cancer prevention.
That's why our Cancer Screen DNA test uses next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology to analyse your sample for genetic variants associated with cancer risk.
The method is extremely realiable at detecting your genetic variants (99.4% accuracy).
Furthermore, if your results reveal any pathogenic variants, they are additionally verified with Sanger sequencing or the qPCR method.
This ensures that all information you receive about your cancer risk is backed by solid scientific evidence.
Empowered and ready for the future
Cancer can have a profound impact on families. Thankfully, advanced technologies, such as our Cancer Screen DNA test, empower you to take proactive steps towards prevention and early detection.
You don't need to wonder about your and your family's risk, because with our test, you can find out with just a saliva sample.
And the information you receive will not only be useful to you; it's an investment in your whole family's future.
Armed with the knowledge and understanding of your common risk, you can stand stronger — together.
If you want to know your hereditary cancer risk, click here to calculate it!