Disease Risk
Results that may predict your risk for some diseases
The Biobank has not started to look at these types of results yet.
Only 1-2% of Biobank participants are expected to have a mistake (mutation) in their genes linked to a higher risk for developing a disease. These genetic mistakes may cause a higher than average risk for cancer or a heart condition or cause a rare genetic condition.
It is important to remember that if you are not contacted by the Biobank it does NOT mean that you don’t have a mutation in one of the genes that may increase risk for the conditions listed below!
If you are concerned about your or your family’s health history, you should talk to your doctor about a more complete genetic test. The Biobank genetic test is not as complete as the test ordered by a medical professional.
Hereditary Cancer
Half of all men and one third of all women in the US will develop cancer in their lifetime. Most of these are not due to inherited genetic mistakes (mutations). Genetic testing can identify those who have a higher risk for cancer based on an inherited mutation. This can help guide early detection and cancer prevention. It can also be a tool for families to understand who else in the family may have a higher than average risk for cancer.
Heart Conditions
About 33% of adults in the US will develop heart disease, and often this is NOT due to an underlying genetic risk. In some cases, heart disease can be due to an inherited genetic mistake (mutation). Some of these conditions can cause sudden cardiac arrest or aneurysms in young, seemingly healthy individuals. Genetic testing can help some better understand their risks and give doctors information to make a medical management plan.
Rare Genetic Conditions
The Biobank will look at a few rare genes that are not linked to cancer or cardiac health, but could impact your health and your doctor’s medical management recommendations. However, most of the genes that cause rare genetic conditions are not included in the test done by the Biobank. Click on the link below to see what rare genetic conditions and related genes the Biobank is testing for. Note the Biobank test does not look for all mutations in these genes.