Private Testing

millara 1 month ago

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I hope this is okay to post here.I have a strong family history of breast cancer on my Mum's side. I now have a 3 year old and so would like to get myself tested to see whether my genetics might lead me down this path too.

I'm keen to pay privately for this but am a bit baffled about which companies to use. I've seen Check4Cancer do testing (at a cost of £945) and have used those before for a skin screening. I've also seen the Cancer Screening Trust (£599).

If you wouldn't mind sharing, which private companies have people used for testing and what has the experience been like? Having been privately tested, has it been possible to get regular screenings for a positive result on the NHS?

Thabk you so much in advance for your help.

latchbrook 1 month ago

Hi millara and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community and, although I'm not a member of this group, I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again.

"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"

Wistful 1 month ago

I’m a nurse and have done some genetics training recently. I personally would not go down the commercial route. You don’t know how accurate they are. If you are worried about Family history I would see your gp and ask to be referred to your local family history service. If your family history is significant they should offer you screening / testing. NHS clinical genetics departments have trained genetic counsellors who counsel patients BEFORE testing. It’s a big deal. Especially if you get a positive result, it impacts your wider family. If you went to a commercial tests what would you do with the information? Also remember…most cancers aren’t hereditary. Just common. Hope that helps. At the end of the day it’s your choice but I would see my gp first.

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