Myriad Genetics - Predictive Medicine

Predictive Medicine

Predictive Medicine products provide vital information to help people with a family history of disease to understand their own risk of developing disease. With this information, they can take steps to prevent the disease, delay the onset of disease, or catch the disease at an earlier stage where outcomes are better.

Many cancers are caused by genes we inherit from our parents. The discovery of genes involved in cancer allows us to test for cancer causing changes in these genes. If you have certain genetic changes passed on from your parents, you are at much higher risk of getting cancer than people who do not have these changes. Because of this higher risk, you may choose with your doctor to do something to reduce your risk. There are very effective options to help lower your risk of cancer such as more intensive screening for cancer, preventive medication and risk reducing surgeries. By identifying your risk, you have the information you need to work with your doctor to choose the best way to delay or even prevent the development of cancer.

Myriad’s predictive medicine products have been used to help thousands of people with a strong family or personal history of cancer. These families usually have cancers that occur at an earlier age (e.g. below 50), occur in several family members or occur multiple times in the same individual. These cancers can be found on either the father’s side of the family or the mother’s side. Myriad offers predictive testing for several inherited cancers including cancers of the breast, ovaries, colon, uterus and skin (melanoma). Doctors and their patients use the information provided by Myriad to make better healthcare choices. This has the potential of improving health and quality of life, reducing healthcare costs and, most importantly, saving lives.

Predictive Medicine

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