When it comes to cancer, genetic answers matter
Take control of your health with OncoAlly® hereditary cancer testing.
Whether you’re concerned about your family history or have already been diagnosed with cancer, understanding your genetics can help you make more informed decisions about your future.
What is hereditary cancer?
At its core, cancer is a genetic disease. While most cancers are not hereditary, as many as 13% of cancers are caused by a pathogenic, inherited mutation 1.
These changes in your DNA can increase the likelihood that cancer will develop in the future. Understanding your personal genetic makeup is a powerful tool in your health journey.
1. JAMA Oncol. 2021;7(2):230-237.
Why genetic testing is critical
Genetic testing provides insights that go beyond family history. Understanding your genetic risk can play a vital role in your care.
If you’re a healthy adult concerned about family history:
- Learn if your DNA carries changes associated with an increased risk of cancer.
- Use these insights to make proactive decisions about your health, such as seeking earlier or more frequent screening.
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer:
- Knowledge of your germline genetics can help your oncologist select the most effective treatment strategies.
- Information from your test can help determine if family members need proactive risk management and can screen donors for safer stem cell transplants.
OncoAlly® provides the most comprehensive testing
When it comes to genetic testing, technology matters.
Traditional testing, such as targeted panels or exome sequencing, may miss crucial information. OncoAlly® Hereditary Cancer Analyses use whole genome sequencing (WGS) to provide a more complete picture.
Because we sequence the entire genome, we can detect a wider range of genetic changes – from single base changes to large gene-level changes* like inversions – that other tests often miss.
*Analysis is restricted to genes listed as included in the test.
Why choose OncoAlly®?
- Comprehensive testing of up to 117 cancer-associated genes*.
- Get your results in just 2-4 weeks.
- Simple insurance and self-pay options.
*View a list of cancers associated with each gene.
Ask your doctor about OncoAlly® testing for hereditary cancer
How to talk with your provider about hereditary cancer testing
If you have a personal history of cancer or a strong family history, ask your provider about comprehensive genome testing. You can share:
- Variantyx OncoAlly® analyzes the entire genome, detecting variant types missed by traditional panels and exome sequencing.
- Variantyx expert analysis reduces variants of uncertain significance.
- Detailed clinical reports clearly explain findings.
- Variantyx facilitates access to genetic counseling support.
Patient Stories
Two individuals, each with complex personal and family histories – Answers found for both
SDHB single exon deletion informs paraganglioma management
Despite prior non-diagnostic multi-gene cancer panel + RNA analysis testing, a concern for hereditary cancer susceptibility remained due to the patient’s personal history of bilateral carotid paraganglioma and family history of lung, gastric and prostate cancer.
Variantyx OncoAlly® hereditary cancer testing identified a heterozygous, pathogenic 15.68 kb deletion that removes exon 1 of the SDHB gene. Surgery is likely to be recommended over observation as paragangliomas associated with germline SDHB variants are aggressive and more prone to metastasis. In addition, targeted follow-on screening of at-risk family members was enabled.
TP53 intronic deletion explains extensive, multi-cancer family history
A family history significant for multiple cancers, including breast cancers and melanoma that were fatal before age 40, plus his son’s childhood rhabdomyosarcoma diagnosis and subsequent death, had prompted prior non-diagnostic panel testing of multiple family members. With the patient now presenting with his own cancer diagnosis, genetic testing was revisited.
Variantyx OncoAlly® hereditary cancer testing identified a heterozygous, likely pathogenic 48 bp deletion within intron 3 of the TP53 gene. Testing provided an elusive Li-Fraumeni syndrome diagnosis and enabled targeted follow-on screening of at-risk family members.
FAQs
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OncoAlly® Comprehensive Hereditary Cancer Analysis is recommended if you have a personal medical history or a family history suggestive of hereditary cancer, or if germline variant analysis for hereditary cancer predisposition is necessary to guide medical management.
OncoAlly® Hereditary Hematologic Cancer Analysis is recommended if you have a personal medical history or family history suggestive of hereditary hematologic cancer or bone marrow failure, or if you are a potential donor for bone marrow or stem cell transplantation.
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A test report is sent to your doctor within 2-4 weeks of receiving your sample.
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Yes! OncoAlly® is covered by most insurances. For cases where insurance coverage is not available, we offer self-pay options.
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OncoAlly® testing must be ordered by a healthcare provider.
If your healthcare provider needs assistance with obtaining test order forms, sample collection kits, etc., please contact us – we’re happy to help.
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Ready to learn more?
Connect with a Clinical Coordinator to discuss OncoAlly® hereditary cancer testing. We’re here to help you understand your options.