Around 1 in 10 cancers are associated with inherited genetic changes, but many people carrying these changes don’t know it.
Your personal and family history can offer important clues, although not everyone with an inherited cancer risk has a strong family history.
Our free 2-minute inherited cancer risk checklist helps you identify possible warning signs and understand your next steps, including whether NHS genetic testing may be available.
You’ll receive personalised guidance by email.
Free | Takes around 3–5 minutes | Personalised guidance by email
Why does knowing your inherited cancer risk matter?
Finding an inherited cancer risk early can create opportunities to prevent cancer or detect it earlier.
Depending on the gene involved, this might mean additional cancer screening, such as breast MRI scans or regular bowel checks, or risk-reducing treatments including medication and surgery.
For example, aspirin has been shown to reduce bowel cancer risk by over 40% in people with Lynch syndrome who take it for at least two years, under appropriate medical guidance.
Finding risk earlier creates choices.
What happens after you complete the checklist?
You’ll receive an email with guidance based on your answers, including whether your history suggests that further assessment may be worthwhile.
We’ll explain possible next steps, including speaking to your NHS GP, considering genetic testing or exploring the services available at Coyne Medical.
The checklist is free and does not commit you to any testing or appointments.
Genetic testing shouldn’t depend entirely on family history
At Coyne Medical, we offer inherited cancer risk testing more widely because we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to understand their genetic risk.
Testing is now relatively straightforward, and identifying inherited risk can open up opportunities for cancer prevention and earlier detection.
Explore inherited cancer risk genetic testing at Coyne Medical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Some people carry inherited cancer gene faults without having a strong family history. Smaller families, limited knowledge of relatives’ health and variation in how genes affect individuals can all make inherited risk harder to recognise.
No. The checklist provides general guidance based on your answers. Only appropriate genetic testing can identify whether you carry a particular inherited genetic variant. A negative checklist result cannot rule out inherited cancer risk.
Yes. NHS genetic testing is available to people who meet relevant eligibility criteria, including certain personal and family cancer histories or known inherited variants in their families. Some ancestry-based testing routes may also be available. Your GP can advise about referral pathways.