Does cancer run in your family? Check your inherited risk at home.
One saliva sample checks up to 35 genes linked to inherited cancer risk, including BRCA1, BRCA2 and the Lynch syndrome genes. It covers breast, ovarian, bowel, prostate, pancreatic and melanoma risk, with a clinical report you and your doctor can act on.
One test, six inherited cancer risks
Around 5–10% of cancers are linked to a single inherited gene change. Testing one gene, such as BRCA, can miss changes elsewhere, so the full panel looks at all the main hereditary-cancer genes together.
BRCA1 · BRCA2 · PALB2 · CHEK2 · ATM · CDH1 · TP53BRCA1 · BRCA2 · BRIP1 · RAD51C · RAD51DMLH1 · MSH2 · MSH6 · PMS2 · EPCAM · APC · MUTYHBRCA2 · BRCA1 · HOXB13 · ATM · CHEK2BRCA2 · PALB2 · CDKN2A · STK11 · ATMCDKN2A · CDK4 · BAP1 · MITF · POT1All 35 genes on the Comprehensive panel
Choose the full panel, or focus on one cancer
Most people choose the Comprehensive panel. If your family history points clearly to one cancer, or a specific gene change is already known in the family, a focused panel may be enough. You choose your panel when you order.
| Panel | Genes | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Hereditary Cancer | All 35 genes above | Several cancer types in the family, or you're unsure which applies |
| Breast Cancer | ATM, BARD1, BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2, PALB2, PTEN, RAD51C, RAD51D, STK11, TP53 | Breast cancer in close relatives |
| Lobular Breast Cancer | Breast panel + CDH1 | Lobular breast cancer, or stomach cancer in the family |
| Breast & Ovarian Cancer | ATM, BARD1, BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, CHEK2, EPCAM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PALB2, PTEN, RAD51C, RAD51D, STK11, TP53 | Breast and ovarian cancer in the family |
| Prostate Cancer | ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2, EPCAM, HOXB13, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PALB2 | Prostate cancer at a young age, or with breast/ovarian cancer in relatives |
| Colorectal Cancer (incl. Lynch syndrome) | APC, BMPR1A, EPCAM, GREM1, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, MUTYH, NTHL1, PMS2, POLD1, POLE, PTEN, RNF43, SMAD4, STK11, TP53 | Bowel or womb cancer in the family, or many bowel polyps |
| Melanoma | BAP1, BRCA2, CDK4, CDKN2A, MITF, POT1, PTEN | Melanoma in two or more relatives |
| Pancreatic Cancer | APC, ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, CDKN2A, EPCAM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PALB2, STK11, TP53, VHL | Pancreatic cancer in close relatives |
| BRCA1 & BRCA2 | BRCA1, BRCA2 | A BRCA change already known in the family |
Check the price for your chosen panel on the ordering page before you buy.
Signs a family history may be inherited
- Two or more close relatives on the same side of the family with the same or related cancers
- Cancer diagnosed young, typically under 50
- A relative with more than one cancer, or cancer in both breasts
- Ovarian, pancreatic or male breast cancer in the family
- Bowel and womb (endometrial) cancer in the same family
- A known gene change (such as BRCA) in a relative
- Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, where certain BRCA changes are more common
- You've had cancer yourself and want to understand inherited factors for your children
From home to report in about 3–4 weeks
Laboratory and quality
- UK laboratory accredited to ISO 15189:2022 by UKAS (Medical Laboratory No. 22262)
- CQC registered and part of GenQA external quality assessment
- Next-generation sequencing that detects single-letter changes, small insertions and deletions, and larger copy-number changes
- Variants classified to ACMG, ACGS and CanVIG-UK standards
- Report checked and signed by a registered clinical scientist
- Lab validation: specificity 99.99%, sensitivity 100% for single-letter changes and small insertions/deletions, 97.6% for copy-number changes
What your report tells you
Only changes classed as pathogenic or likely pathogenic are reported. These are the changes known to raise cancer risk. Your report sets out the variant found, what it means for your risk, what it means for your family, and recommended screening.
Your risk of certain cancers is higher than average. It does not mean you have cancer or will get it. It can open up earlier or extra screening, risk-reducing options, and testing for blood relatives.
Reassuring, but it does not remove all risk. Most cancers are not inherited, and your family history still matters for screening decisions. Keep up with NHS screening.
Genetic counselling
Where your result makes it clinically appropriate, you can speak with a GCRAB-registered genetic counsellor. They will explain the result, assess your cancer risk, and talk through screening and risk-management options. You also get a written summary.
You can share your report with your GP or a specialist, who can arrange NHS follow-up such as earlier breast imaging or bowel screening where appropriate.
Knowing early gives you choices
Finding an inherited risk before cancer develops can change what you do next:
- Earlier and more frequent screening, such as breast MRI or colonoscopy, chosen to suit your gene
- Risk-reducing options, discussed with a specialist, at a pace that suits you
- Family testing: parents, siblings and children can be tested for the specific change, which is simpler and cheaper
- Peace of mind if no change is found
Children of a parent with an inherited change usually have a 1 in 2 chance of carrying it.
Most hereditary cancer gene changes pass from parent to child this way. If you test first and a change is found, your relatives can then have a simpler, targeted test for that one change.
Order the panel · £649Common questions
What does a hereditary cancer panel show?
Whether you carry an inherited change in one of the tested genes that is known to raise the risk of certain cancers.
Is this the same as a BRCA test?
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are included. The Comprehensive panel goes further, covering 35 genes across six cancer types. A BRCA-only panel is also available if a BRCA change is already known in your family.
What sample do I give?
Saliva, collected at home into a tube that keeps the DNA stable in the post. No blood test or clinic visit is needed.
How long do results take?
Usually about 15 working days after the laboratory accepts your sample, so allow 3–4 weeks from ordering.
Is genetic counselling included?
Yes, where your result makes it clinically appropriate. A GCRAB-registered genetic counsellor explains your result and talks through your options, and you receive a written summary.
Does a positive result mean I'll get cancer?
No. It means your risk is higher than average, not that cancer is certain. It helps you and your doctors plan screening and prevention.
Does a negative result mean I'm not at risk?
No. It lowers the chance that your family's cancers are due to one of the tested genes, but everyone still has a general risk of cancer. Keep attending NHS screening.
Will I have to tell my insurer?
Under the UK Code on Genetic Testing and Insurance, insurers cannot ask you to take a predictive genetic test, or ask for or use predictive test results, apart from Huntington's disease for life cover over £500,000. Check the current code before you apply for cover.
Can I get this free on the NHS?
Possibly. The NHS offers genetic testing to people who meet family-history criteria, and to people with Jewish ancestry. Speak to your GP first if you think you qualify.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can order directly. We recommend sharing your report with your GP.
Is this test right for children?
Predictive testing for adult-onset cancers is generally not recommended for children. Speak to a genetic counsellor first.
Order the Hereditary Cancer Panel
Saliva kit, prepaid return, a UKAS-accredited UK laboratory, and a clinical report by a registered clinical scientist.
