Our genetic screening tests over 70 gene variants that can predispose to cancer and tell us about how your body reacts to drugs. Importantly, all of these gene variants can be acted upon to help prevent or reduce the risk of the condition. Or for the pharmacogenetic genes can help guide drug treatment either now or in the future. 

Providing a DNA sample is very simple. At your consultation your doctor will take a small blood sample just like a regular blood test. 

Your sample is sent to a specialist genetic testing laboratory in Germany. The laboratory uses the highest standard of genetic testing called NGS (next generation sequencing). This is the most accurate method. Some online DNA testing and family history companies use other methods such ‘genotyping’; this leads to more common false positive and negative results. They can be fun and quick to use but are not meant to guide medical decisions or healthcare.

Once your DNA has been sequenced by the laboratory their expert genetic doctors will write your personal report. From your appointment at Coyne Medical we expect your report in approximately 5 weeks time.

The Association of British insurers and the British Medical Association have agreed on a set of questions that insurers can ask your GP when you apply for life insurance. Your GP will be asked about any medical condition that you have suffered in the past or are currently experiencing that may reduce your life expectancy. They are also allowed to ask you and your GP about your family history. They are not allowed to ask or request the results of any predictive genetic testing. 

Currently, the only exception in the UK to this is if you are applying for insurance with the only exception being if you are applying for life insurance over £500,000 and you have had a predictive genetic test for Huntington’s Disease. Only in this circumstance do you need to tell the insurance company the result of the test, if they ask.

If you have a strong family history of breast cancer for example and you test negative for genes related to this it may be in your interest to disclose this and you may choose to do this. You can read more about the code of the Association of British Insurers here.

There are three possible outcomes from our cancer gene testing:

Negative and positive.

If the result is negative it means that the test did not pick up any genes that increase the risk of disease. It doesn’t mean that you will never develop one of the conditions tested for, as there are many other factors aside from genes that can contribute to developing a disease. As we learn more about genetics and disease, it may be that your test results in the future will be updated to reflect new medical information. If this is the case, we will inform you immediately. 

A positive result means you have discovered a gene variant that increases the risk of you developing a certain cancer. You will then be able to work with your doctor to determine what the next steps are for you. This may include options to prevent disease or increased surveillance to detect the disease at an earlier, more treatable stage. 

Your pharmacogenetic testing will likely show several different variants, in your report there will be detailed recommendations on medications. This might include advice to reduce doses or consider alternative medicines for common drugs such as cholesterol medicines, pain killers and antidepressants.

We ensure the highest level of security for your personal information. Full details of our privacy policy are available here. We use our patient portal to securely share copies of your results by email. We can use an alternative method of communication if you wish – just let us know. Genetic laboratory testing is provided by CeGaT laboratory in Germany. They will receive your personal information and abide by the extremely strict German and Europe rules on privacy of sensitive data. You must consent to their receiving and sharing your personal information and data. You may choose to opt-out of anonymised research studies.

We only use medical-grade genetic testing. We use a leading German specialist laboratory, CeGaT, who are College of American Pathologists (CAP)-accredited and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified clinical diagnostic laboratory, offering panel and single-gene genetic tests as well as exome analysis. In addition to ISO 15189 and 17025.

CeGaT’s assay for genetic tests includes both full-gene sequencing and deletion/duplication analysis using next-generation sequencing technology (NGS). This is the most accurate method. Some online DNA testing and family history companies use other methods such ‘genotyping’; this leads to more common false positive and negative results. They can be fun and quick to use but are not meant to guide medical decisions or healthcare.

Genetic Health Screening – £1300

Including

Consultation with doctor to discuss the test, your family history and blood sample taking at our clinic.

Laboratory analysis including NGS (next generation sequencing) for 51 cancer genes and 22 pharmacogenetic genes.

Personalised report including advice on further screening or risk reduction for any positive cancer risk genes.  Detailed report on your pharmacogenetics including advice on medications, dosages, side effects and alternatives.

Follow-up consultation with the doctor at our clinic to discuss your results. Including advice on further referrals and any other health screening indications.

Yes we believe genetic screening is a really powerful addition to our health screening. Check out our packages here.

Tumour genes include those related to:

Breast cancer

Ovarian cancer

Uterine cancer

Colorectal cancer

Cutaneous melanoma

Gastric cancer

Pancreatic cancer

Prostate cancer

Renal cell cancer

Thyroid cancer

Full List of Genes Tested

Pharmacogenetics illustrates how genetic changes can affect the influence of drugs. Genetic changes in the proteins responsible for absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs can have a huge impact on their effectiveness and compatibility. Some drugs have different effects on different people, e.g. antidepressants, analgesics, neuroleptics, chemotherapeutics, AIDS medication, thrombosis medication, anaesthetics, beta-blockers, and statins. Reduced or missing activity of a specific enzyme may increase the drug dosage and cause unwanted side effects. On the other hand, a medication that is activated by metabolism may not work if an enzyme is inactive. Enhanced enzyme activity can also affect the response to medication, e.g. by degrading the active ingredients.

Full List of Genes