Did you know that the majority of women who get breast cancer don’t have a family history of breast cancer?
While many women think they aren’t at risk of getting breast cancer if they don’t have family history, in fact 85% of breast cancers diagnoses are in women without family history!
For breast cancer awareness month, (and every month really), we want to help you be aware of the most important factors that impact your risk for breast cancer so you can make a breast health plan today for a healthier tomorrow. Understand your risk through risk assessment testing.
Not sure if it’s for you?
Start by asking yourself these 10 questions.
Q: What are the risk factors for breast cancer?
A: There is no single risk factor that can cause you to develop breast cancer. Instead, there are hundreds of small influences over your lifetime that can contribute to your development of the disease.
Some of the most important factors that contribute to your risk of breast cancer are your age, family history, genetic risk , and breast density. But, additional risk factors include your age you got your period, whether you’ve given birth, types of contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy you may have used, whether you breastfed , your BMI (Body Mass Index), menopausal state, breast biopsy status and lifestyle habits like smoking or alcohol intake.
Q: What is GeneType for Breast Cancer?
A: GeneType for Breast Cancer is a risk assessment test that your doctor uses to estimate your chances of developing breast cancer down the road. The test looks at a number of important breast cancer risk factors (i.e. genetic markers, breast density, and family history) and combines them into a simple risk score. Based on this risk score, you and your doctor will be able to personalize a breast health plan to ensure that your screening and prevention options are right for you.
Q: How is this test different from hereditary cancer testing?
A: Most women do not qualify for hereditary breast cancer testing, which is based on a family history of breast cancer. Hereditary cancer is caused by a relatively rare “DNA change” in a gene that has a very large impact on your risk (for example, BRCA1 or BRCA2). Fewer than 1 in 400 women have this type of hereditary “DNA change.”
Because so many women without a family history still develop breast cancer, we have developed a genetic-based risk assessment for all women who either 1: don’t qualify for hereditary testing or 2: have tested negative for hereditary testing. This genetic-based risk assessment looks at a series of DNA markers that have an impact on your risk.
Q: What are DNA markers?
A: DNA markers are a simple term we use to describe small differences in DNA between individuals. GeneType for Breast Cancer looks at DNA markers that have been scientifically proven to be associated with breast cancer.
GeneType for Breast Cancer looks at over 70 common DNA markers that many of us carry. While one or two DNA markers don’t have a strong influence on risk, many markers together can have a large impact. When we look at all these DNA markers in combination, we get a bigger picture of your risk for breast cancer. Combining these DNA markers is known as your polygenic risk!
Fun fact: The GeneType Breast Cancer Risk Assessment is the only at-home test on the market that combines DNA markers into the risk model.
Q: I have no family history of breast cancer. Do I need to get tested?
A: Yes! Over 85% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have very little or no family history of the disease. That’s why it’s important to get tested to know your breast cancer risk. When your doctor gives you a risk assessment, he or she looks at a number of other important risk factors other than family history. Do you know all of your personal breast cancer risk factors?
Fun fact: Some breast cancer risk factors you are born with, like your genetics, but some can change over time, like your age. Some risk factors you have a bit more control over, like breastfeeding or your weight, and some you have less control over, like the age of your first period.
Q: When should I get my breast cancer risk assessment?
A: If you are like the majority of women, and do not have a family history, you should begin routine risk assessment testing at age 35. Age is the number one risk factor for women who develop sporadic breast cancer, or breast cancer that does not run in the family.
Risk assessment testing should be repeated every 5 years, or anytime your risk factors change.
Of note: If you have a family history of breast cancer, you should discuss your risk with your doctor or genetic counselor starting at the age of 18--you may be eligible for hereditary breast cancer genetic testing. You need to rule-out hereditary risk before considering GeneType as a risk assessment.
Q: I get annual mammograms. Should I still have a risk assessment?
A: Great job maintaining your routine mammogram screening!
You may still benefit from a risk assessment. Your breast cancer risk score can help you and your healthcare provider better understand your risk and develop a personalized screening and prevention plan. This may involve additional screenings options, but it may also include an option for risk reducing medication.
Q: Why is my breast density important?
A: Nearly half of all women have dense breast tissue. Having dense breast tissue can increase your risk of breast cancer. Depending on what state you live in and what guidelines your doctor follows, you may or may not know your breast density. But, your doctor may also not be able to do anything about your breast density results. In our risk assessment, we include breast density into the model. This means that your final risk score takes into account your density, and makes it easier for your doctor to make a clinical decision regarding your screening options.
Fun fact: In 2019, a federal mandate requires all women be told their breast density status, but the law won’t fully go into effect until 2022. So advocate for yourself and request your breast density information at your next mammogram.
Q: How does Gene Type for Breast Cancer Assessment assess my risk?
A: GeneType Breast Cancer Risk Assessment combines several of your risk factors, including age, family history, breast density, DNA markers (or polygenic risk), menopausal status and BMI , into one comprehensive risk assessment. We add these risk factors up to calculate a measurable risk which makes up your personalized risk score.
Any clinical risk assessment that your doctor may use will provide you with a risk score. But what makes GeneType unique, is that we collect your DNA, using a simple, painless cheek swab to combine your own DNA markers into the risk assessment. By doing this, we outperform other risk assessments clinically available.
Q: What can I do today?
A: Talk to your doctor today about your risk. If a telehealth option is right for you, we recommend ordering your at-home GeneType Breast Cancer Risk Assessment today to receive your results within approximately 3 weeks via elicity.health, a third-party telehealth provider network. Your personal telehealth professional is not affiliated with GeneType and will communicate with you directly regarding your results including any breast health recommendations, follow-up referrals and next steps.
Be empowered. Know your risk.
We aim to empower you with the knowledge about your breast cancer risk to help you advocate for your own breast health.
Knowing your risk can help you and your doctor make better-informed decisions for your health today. Be proactive, increase your breast health awareness today.
Stay informed. Order a Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Today!
Order GeneType for Breast Cancer now.
