Please refer to our test product descriptions for further information. If you are still undecided, we can arrange for our Medical team to speak to you. Please contact us on cancertesting@berkeleygenetics.com or 01270 623179.

There are three possible outcomes from this test:

• The test results may come back negative. This means that the test has not identified any faults in the genes analysed. So, you are not at an increased risk of any of the common cancers caused by a known inherited fault in the genes we have tested.

• The test result could show you have a Variant of Uncertain Significance, an inconclusive result. Also known as a VUS. If you have a variant of uncertain significance or VUS, this means a variant of uncertain significance has been identified in one of the genes analysed.
  Variants of uncertain significance are variants where there is insufficient global evidence to support whether they are meaningful or not.
  With the current knowledge we have, we cannot be sure whether this fault means you have an increased risk of the cancer tested for. However, as global knowledge grows and we understand more, 90% of these turn out to be clinically insignificant or negative. If a VUS is upgraded to variant detected result or downgraded to a negative result an amended report will be issued to you. There
  is no need for you to provide a new sample.

• The other possible outcome may show you have a variant detected test result. This means that a fault in one or more of your genes has been found, which shows you have an increased risk of developing a particular cancer.

• If you have ordered the test directly with us, you will receive your results report by secure email. If, however, this test has been organised through your clinician, a copy of this report will be sent to them with your consent.

• Whatever the result, we may arrange for a medical specialist to contact you to talk through the test result report, discuss next steps and answer any questions you may have. Alternatively, we will send an informational video along with the result.

• If you have any questions before taking the test, please get in touch.

Saliva samples are stable for 6 months in suitable conditions.

Once your sample has been received in the laboratory, the expected reporting time is 15 working days or 3 weeks. If you have not heard anything after this time, please contact Berkeley Genetic on cancertesting@berkeleygenetics.com or 01270 623179.

• The result report will be sent to the email address you have provided. We may arrange for our medical team to speak to you about your result and we will contact you to arrange a convenient time for this.

• What does a variant detected result mean for me? - Whether you are affected with cancer or not you will need to discuss the result with a healthcare professional who may alter any treatment and drugs given or will discuss risk reducing strategies with you. Our medical team will have already been in touch about your result but if you have any further questions on receiving the results report please contact us and we can arrange for one of our medical team to speak to you.

• If you have a variant of uncertain significance or VUS, this means a variant of uncertain significance has been identified in one of the genes analysed. Variants of uncertain significance are variants where there is insufficient global evidence to support whether they are meaningful or not.

• With the current knowledge we have, we cannot be sure whether this fault means you have an increased risk of the cancer tested for. However, as global knowledge grows and we understand more, 90% of these turn out to be clinically insignificant or negative.

• We do not recommend testing family members for any VUS’s found.

• If a variant has been detected in you, there is a 50 % chance that it may be found in your children or siblings and that there may be implications for your relatives. We therefore recommend that you discuss this with them and, should they decide that they want to be tested ask them to get in touch with us, providing their contact details.

• If they would like to speak to one of our medical team about this, please contact us and we can arrange for one of them to speak to them.

• Please note that we only offer genetic testing to individuals over the age of 18.

Many private insurance policies will cover a genetic test if you have an existing diagnosis of cancer; however, it is important to check with your healthcare professional and insurance policy to see if this would be an appropriate addition to your care. Once you have been given an authorisation code then please contact our Central Services team on 01270 623179 who can process your order with this clinical information and authorisation details. You are not able to add this into the check-out process on the website at this time.