Hereditary Cancer Risk Testing
Move from worry to wellness. With a simple genetic test, we can assess your inherited risk for common cancers and create a personalized plan for proactive screening and prevention.
A strong family history of cancer can feel like a shadow over your own health. You may wonder if you're doing enough, what your actual risk is, and what steps you should be taking to protect yourself. The Myriad MyRisk™ test is a powerful tool that helps answer these questions.
This comprehensive test uses a simple saliva or blood sample to analyze 48 different genes associated with an increased risk for the most common hereditary cancers, including breast, ovarian, uterine, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer.
The result is not just data; it's a personalized roadmap. Understanding your genetic risk allows us to create a tailored screening plan, which might include earlier mammograms, different imaging, or other preventive measures. It empowers you to make informed decisions and become the leading advocate for your own health.
Who is a Candidate for MyRisk™ Testing?
You may be a candidate for hereditary cancer testing if you have a personal or family history of:
Breast cancer diagnosed at age 50 or younger
Ovarian, pancreatic, or metastatic prostate cancer at any age
Multiple relatives on the same side of the family with breast and/or colorectal cancer
A known genetic mutation in your family (e.g., BRCA1/2)
Male breast cancer in the family
The Process: Simple, Supported, and Informative
01
The Genetic Counseling Visit
Your journey begins with a dedicated 60-minute telehealth consultation. We will take a deep dive into your personal and family health history, discuss the benefits and limitations of genetic testing, and determine if the MyRisk™ test is appropriate for you.
02
The Simple Test
The Myriad MyRisk™ test is done with a simple saliva or blood sample. You will receive a kit that can be completed from the comfort of your home and mailed directly to the lab.
03
Results & Your Personalized Plan
Once your results are in, we will schedule a follow-up visit to review them together in detail. You will not be left to interpret complex results alone. We will discuss exactly what your results mean for you and create a clear, actionable plan for future screenings and preventive care.
Hereditary Cancer Testing: Frequently Asked Questions
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The Myriad MyRisk™ test is a medical-grade genetic test that provides a comprehensive, personalized assessment of your inherited cancer risk. It analyzes 48 different genes to see if you carry a mutation that could increase your lifetime risk for eight common cancers, including breast, ovarian, uterine, and colorectal cancer.
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Testing is recommended if you have a personal or family history that suggests an inherited risk. This may include a personal or family history of breast cancer diagnosed at age 50 or younger, ovarian or pancreatic cancer at any age, or multiple relatives on the same side of the family with cancers like breast or colorectal cancer. We will review your full family history during our consultation to determine if testing is right for you.
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The test itself is simple and non-invasive. It only requires a saliva sample, which you can provide from the comfort of your own home using a collection kit that is mailed directly to you.
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It is important to know that a positive result is not a diagnosis of cancer. It is powerful information that allows us to be proactive. If you test positive, we will have a detailed post-test counseling session to discuss what the results mean for you. From there, we will create a personalized plan that may include more frequent screenings (like mammograms or colonoscopies at an earlier age), preventive strategies, and referrals to specialists if needed. You will have a clear path forward.
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Myriad Genetics handles all insurance billing for the test itself. The vast majority of insurance plans cover hereditary cancer testing when a patient meets the national criteria based on their personal and family history. Myriad will work with your insurance provider and contact you directly to discuss any potential out-of-pocket costs before processing your test, ensuring there are no financial surprises.
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Consumer DNA tests are for informational and entertainment purposes and typically only look at a few genetic markers. The Myriad MyRisk™ test is a comprehensive, medical-grade diagnostic test that must be ordered by a healthcare provider. The most critical difference is that our service includes professional pre- and post-test counseling. We help you understand your results in the context of your life and health history and create a real medical action plan, which is something consumer tests cannot provide.