Hereditary Cancer Panel — Genetic Risk Test

Hereditary Cancer Panel — Comprehensive Genetic Risk Screening

A clinically curated genetic test that identifies inherited gene variants linked to an increased risk of certain cancers. Analyses up to 35 cancer-related genes from a simple saliva sample at home, with results interpreted by registered clinical scientists. Suitable for anyone with a personal or family history suggestive of hereditary cancer risk.

Understand your inherited cancer risk

The Hereditary Cancer Panel is a clinically curated genetic test designed to identify inherited gene variants associated with an increased risk of developing certain cancers. By analysing multiple cancer-related genes in a single saliva test, it provides valuable insight into your inherited cancer susceptibility and supports proactive, informed health decisions.

It is particularly suitable for individuals with a personal or family history suggestive of hereditary cancer risk — for example, relatives diagnosed with breast, ovarian, bowel, prostate or pancreatic cancer, cancers at a young age, or a known familial gene variant.

The panel is processed by a UK laboratory with extensive experience delivering genetic testing at population scale, including large NHS screening and research programmes. Saliva sampling has proven highly reliable in these programmes, with a sample failure rate of under 1%.

Choose your panel

• Comprehensive Hereditary Cancer — APC, ATM, BAP1, BARD1, BMPR1A, BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, CDH1, CDK4, CDKN2A, CHEK2, EPCAM, GREM1, HOXB13, MITF, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, MUTYH, NF1, NTHL1, PALB2, PMS2, POLD1, POLE, POT1, PTEN, RAD51C, RAD51D, RNF43, SMAD4, STK11, TP53, VHL
• Hereditary Breast Cancer — ATM, BARD1, BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2, PALB2, PTEN, RAD51C, RAD51D, STK11, TP53
• Hereditary Lobular Breast Cancer — ATM, BARD1, BRCA1, BRCA2, CDH1, CHEK2, PALB2, PTEN, RAD51C, RAD51D, STK11, TP53
• Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer — ATM, BARD1, BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, CHEK2, EPCAM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PALB2, PTEN, RAD51C, RAD51D, STK11, TP53
• Hereditary Prostate Cancer — ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2, EPCAM, HOXB13, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PALB2
• Hereditary Colorectal Cancer (including Lynch syndrome) — APC, BMPR1A, EPCAM, GREM1, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, MUTYH, NTHL1, PMS2, POLD1, POLE, PTEN, RNF43, SMAD4, STK11, TP53
• Hereditary Melanoma Cancer — BAP1, BRCA2, CDK4, CDKN2A, MITF, POT1, PTEN
• Hereditary Pancreatic Cancer — APC, ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, CDKN2A, EPCAM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PALB2, STK11, TP53, VHL
• Hereditary BRCA1 & BRCA2 — BRCA1, BRCA2

Each panel is peer-reviewed, clinically relevant and aligned with the NHS National Genomic Test Directory.

Key features

• Analyses up to 35 hereditary cancer risk genes across 9 targeted and comprehensive panels
• Covers genes associated with breast, ovarian, colorectal (including Lynch syndrome), prostate, pancreatic, melanoma and other inherited cancers
• Detects single nucleotide variants (SNVs), small insertions/deletions (indels) and copy number variants (CNVs)
• Professional clinical interpretation by registered clinical scientists included
• Genetic counselling support available where clinically indicated
• Clear, actionable results to guide screening and prevention strategies

How it works

• Order & receive — Free UK delivery in discreet packaging. Your saliva collection kit is included.
• Provide your sample — Collect a saliva sample at home using the included stabilising tube. No blood draw or clinic appointment needed.
• Return & analyse — Post your sample using the prepaid return packaging. DNA is extracted and sequenced at the UK laboratory.
• Receive your results — A registered clinical scientist reviews your data and produces a full clinical report, delivered to your secure account, on average within around 15 working days of the laboratory accepting your sample.

Collection method

• Saliva sample collection — simple, non-invasive and completed at home
• No blood draw or clinical appointment required
• Sample stabilised for safe transport to the laboratory
• Prepaid return packaging included

The process is discreet, convenient and easy to complete following the step-by-step instructions provided.

Report contents

Your comprehensive clinical report includes:

• Identification of detected pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants
• Clinical classification and interpretation of each variant
• Explanation of the associated cancer risks, where relevant
• Implications for you and your family members
• Personalised recommendations for screening or medical follow-up
• A comprehensive method section

Variants are classified in line with ACMG, ACGS and CanVIG-UK gene-specific recommendations, based on the MANE transcript, and supported by clinical decision-support software to ensure the most up-to-date evidence is applied. Only pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants are reported.

Genetic counselling

Genetic counselling is delivered by counsellors registered with the Genetic Counsellor Registration Board (GCRAB). A session can include:

• A clear explanation of what your results mean
• An evaluation of your cancer risk
• Exploration of risk-management and surveillance options

Following the session you receive a written summary of the consultation and a copy of your clinical report, with the opportunity to ask questions.

Scientific technology

The panel uses validated Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) — Cell3 target enrichment with Illumina sequencing — to analyse multiple cancer-associated genes simultaneously. In-house bioinformatics pipelines accurately detect SNVs, indels and CNVs, and all results are reviewed by RCPath- and HCPC-registered clinical scientists before reporting.

Accuracy

In validation, the panel demonstrated:

• Specificity: 99.99%
• Overall positive predictive value: greater than 97%
• SNV sensitivity: 100% (validation data; estimated 96.5–100%, 95% CI)
• Indel sensitivity: 100% (validation data; estimated 91–100%, 95% CI)
• CNV sensitivity: 97.6% (validation data; estimated 87–99.9%, 95% CI)

A positive result indicates an increased inherited cancer risk but does not confirm the presence of cancer. A negative result does not eliminate all cancer risk, as not all genetic factors may currently be detectable or understood. This test is intended to support informed clinical decision-making in consultation with a healthcare professional.

Accreditation

Testing is performed in a UK laboratory accredited to ISO 15189:2022 by UKAS (Medical Laboratory No. 22262) — the international standard for quality and competence in medical laboratories, and the standard to which NHS laboratories operate. The laboratory is also CQC registered and participates in external quality assessment (GenQA) for both technical and interpretative performance.