Testing for Hereditary Cancer
Why should you test with Nonacus Clinical Services?
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Pre-test appointment with a professional, experienced Genetic Counsellor to ensure you have the right test for you.
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Simple Saliva Collection Kit delivered to your home address, directly and discreetly.
All you need to do is send it back using our pre-paid, easy return process.
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Results turned around in 20 working days from the time it arrives in the laboratory.
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Post-test results shared with you by an experienced Genetic Counsellor providing onward referrals and recommendations.
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Knowledge is power – understanding your risk can give you peace of mind.
Benefits of our service
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We are accredited to UKAS ISO 15189:2022.
This means we have very high standards to give you every confidence in your results, our services and team.
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All testing, analysis and interpretation is performed at our UK laboratory.
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Clinical reports are created by our team of HCPC-registered clinical scientists.
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Your results can help members of your family decide if they also wanted to be tested.
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If new research provides more information for your result, we will provide an updated report without needing a new sample.
Comprehensive Hereditary Cancer
What we look for: Genes associated with breast, ovarian, colorectal, prostate, melanoma and pancreatic cancer.
Hereditary Breast Cancer
What we look for: Genes associated with breast cancer, including BRCA1 and BRCA2.
Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer
What we look for: As above, plus genes connected with ovarian and some uterine cancers.
Hereditary Prostate Cancer
What we look for: Genes associated with hereditary prostate cancer, including BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
Hereditary Colorectal Cancer (including Lynch Syndrome)
What we look for: Genes associated with hereditary colorectal cancer and other cancer types associated with Lynch syndrome.
Hereditary Melanoma Cancer
What we look for: Genes associated with Melanoma, including BRCA2.
Hereditary Pancreatic Cancer
What we look for: Genes associated with hereditary pancreatic cancer.
What happens next?
Once you have paid for your test (using the ‘pay for your test’ button on this page), you will be sent an email confirming your purchase and a link to book your appointment with one of our Genetic Counsellors.
During your appointment, the Genetic Counsellor will discuss which test is right for you.
You will then be sent a test kit in the post. This is a simple test that requires you to spit in the test tube provided.
The kit includes full and easy-to-follow instructions. Please follow them carefully so that you don’t have to do it again.
Once we receive your sample, we will analyse your saliva and create a report detailing your hereditary cancer risk.
The Genetic Counsellor will contact you to arrange for a time to discuss your results with you in person, including recommendations and potential referrals back to your healthcare provider.
Your results, explained
Your results may contain one of the following:
- a variant detected result means that a genetic variant has been found in one or more of the genes analysed which puts you at a higher risk of developing the associated cancer(s). However, this result, also called a positive result, doesn't mean you will definitely get cancer; it means there is an increased risk.
- a negative result, meaning no genetic variants were found in the genes analysed, meaning your risk of developing the cancer(s) tested for is not higher than the general populations’ risk. However, it is important to remember that not all cancers are caused by genetic factors – environment, lifestyle and age can also play a role.
- the test might show a variant of uncertain significance (VUS), meaning a genetic variant was found, but it is unclear if it increases your cancer risk. With current knowledge, we can't say if this variant is significant, but 90% of VUS results are later to be found harmless. If new information changes your result, you will receive an updated report without needing a new sample.