HudsonAlpha expands free genetic cancer risk testing to 28-32 year old women and men
The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Ala., is offering free genetic cancer risk testing to people in North Alabama for a third year, and are expanding the initiative to include participants.
Beginning November 8, 2017, any woman or man ages 28 to 32 in Madison, Limestone, Jackson, Marshall or Morgan County may take the Information is Power test for FREE. Other adults residing in those counties may take the test for a reduced cost.
The test, offered by Kailos Genetics, tests the well-known BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, as well as nearly two dozen additional genes linked to breast and ovarian cancer risk (as well as prostate, colorectal, and some other cancers).
A generous donation from Redstone Federal Credit Union provided the means not only to offer the program for a third consecutive year, but also to expand it so that more people may have access to potentially life-saving information. The initiative continues through November 7, 2018.
When and where are the genetic tests available?
Beginning November 8, 2017, any woman or man, ages 28 to 32 in Madison, Limestone, Jackson, Marshall or Morgan County may take the Information is Power test for FREE.
The test also is being offered at a reduced cost to adults 19 and over in those five counties.
Please share this information with your family and friends. Learn more together: Information is power.
They’re counting on you… get tested today.
What is the Information is Power genetic test?
The test, developed and offered by Kailos Genetics, tests the well-known BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and looks at about two dozen genes linked to an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, as well as other diseases including colorectal and prostate cancer.
A simple cheek swab could help empower you to make important healthcare decisions for you and your family. A positive test doesn’t necessarily mean you will acquire cancer, and a negative test doesn’t mean you will be cancer-free. However, with the results of the test, you along with your physician can make the right choices for you. Remember, what you learn about your own genes, also has potential impact on your family members. Genes are inherited, so the information you learn could be meaningful for daughters and nieces, mothers and aunts, fathers and sons. Men are not immune from breast cancer, and the genes included in the test are meaningful for both women and men.
Dr. Guy Caldwell, Ph.D. and Dr. Kim Caldwell, Ph.D., Molecular Biologists, Assistant Professors, Department of Biological Sciences
Lynn Holt, M.S., C.G.C., Genetic Counselor, Department of Genetics
Bonnie Howard, Public Health Environmentalist
Dr. Charles Woernle, M.D., M.P.H., State Epidemiologist
Dr. Brett McKinney, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Genetics
Daniel Sharer, Ph.D., FACMG, Assistant Professor and Director
Lynn Hudson, Biotechnology Business Development Manager Intelligence Systems
Dr. David Weaver, Professor, Department of Agronomy and Soils