AT HOME TEST -HEREDITARY CANCER

Comprehensive Hereditary Cancer Panel — £550

A specialist private genetic test analysing 35 genes associated with inherited cancer risk. Delivered through our partnership with Informed Genomics, this multi-cancer panel identifies individuals at higher-than-population risk for hereditary cancer — supporting personalised screening, surveillance, and prevention.

The package costs £550, including pre-test video genetic counselling, the saliva sample kit, prepaid return packaging, accredited laboratory analysis, post-test genetic counselling, and a clinician-reviewed written report. No GP consultation required.

What is a Hereditary Cancer Panel?

A Hereditary Cancer Panel looks at specific genes that, when mutated, can significantly raise the lifetime risk of certain cancers. Around 5–10% of cancers are inherited — identifying a variant early allows for enhanced surveillance, risk-reducing strategies, and informed family planning.

Genes analysed

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.

These cover breast, ovarian, colorectal, prostate, pancreatic, gastric, endometrial, melanoma, and other cancers — including BRCA-related, Lynch syndrome, FAP, MUTYH-associated polyposis, Li-Fraumeni, Cowden, Peutz-Jeghers, and von Hippel-Lindau.

Genetic counselling included

• Pre-test video counselling — to understand what the test can and cannot tell you, what each outcome would mean, and the implications for you and your family

• Post-test counselling — to interpret your results, discuss next steps, and support decisions about surveillance, risk-reduction, or sharing information with relatives

Who is it suitable for?

Adults aged 18 and over with a strong family history of cancer, a personal history of cancer (especially early-onset), a known family variant, or concern after a hereditary cancer diagnosis in a relative.

Important: what results mean

• A positive finding indicates increased lifetime risk — not a diagnosis

• A negative finding is reassuring but does not entirely exclude inherited or sporadic cancer risk

• Results may be relevant to your blood relatives, who may also wish to test

How the test works

A simple saliva sample taken at home using a prepaid kit. Samples are analysed at accredited laboratories, with results typically available within 3–4 weeks (priority turnaround available).

What happens with your results

Every result is reviewed by a GMC-registered clinician alongside your post-test counselling. Where a result indicates increased risk, we will arrange referral to oncology or surveillance services. Urgent findings are communicated promptly at no additional charge.

Optional add-ons

• Pre-test GP consultation — £50 (phone/video) or £80 (in person)

• Further follow-up consultation — same pricing, for ongoing support after results

Book your test

Contact us to order your kit. Discreet packaging and free UK shipping.

Northwest Health is registered with and regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

Biomarkers checked

Further information regarding these genes can be found here

When is hereditary cancer testing used?

Hereditary cancer is defined as cancer that has been caused by an inherited genetic variant. Inheriting certain genetic variants does not necessarily mean that cancer will develop, but the lifetime risk is significantly increased, and it is estimated that 5-10% of all cancer cases have a genetic variant that leads to cancer susceptibility.

A genetic cause is suspected when the clinical features or family history include the following, in which case a hereditary cancer panel is recommended:

-early age of onset

-multiple primary tumours

-multifocal tumour sites

-bilateral tumour appearance in paired organs

-the same type of tumour in first or second-degree relatives or same tumour type clustering within a family

-rare tumour types

-rare tumours associated with birth defects

It is important to note that not all genetic variants that lead to an increased susceptibility to cancer are associated with a family history. At Informed Genomics, they offer Hereditary Cancer Panel to anyone over 18 years of age who is believed to be at risk of developing cancer, regardless of personal or familial cancer history.

This test is considered a screening test, not a diagnostic test. Before making any treatment decisions, all patients should discuss their results with their healthcare provider, who can recommend confirmatory, diagnostic testing where appropriate.

Laboratory processing time

Standard Turnaround time: 14days (and 2 days transport via post)

Priority Turnaround time:    10days (and 1 day transport via DHL)

How does it work?

1. Order Hereditary Cancer Panel

2. Receive the kit

3. Watch the Precounselling video

4. Produce a Saliva sample

5.  Post the sample kit to a Post Box

6. Results via password protected email and discussion of abnormal results and recommended management plan. 

7. Abnormal results are followed up with a Genetic counsellor which is included 

Accreditations

Informed Genomics manufactures and processes IGL Hereditary Cancer Panels and offers an efficient and effective, quality-driven service which ensures the high performance of our hereditary cancer testing service. This is underpinned by a strong and robust Quality Management System accredited to UKAS ISO 15189:2012

Informed Genomics Hereditary screening is distributed in the UK by Biox Medical

ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certification.

Distributed in the UK by Biox Medical Ltd