Getting Started with the Empower Hereditary Cancer Test
Inherited mutations can significantly increase lifetime risk for developing cancer1
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Learn More About Genetic Mutations & Hereditary Cancers
Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) Syndrome
Up to 10% of all breast cancers can be attributed to hereditary causes, the most well known of which is a BRCA1 or 2 mutation. Inherited mutations can increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer to greater than 60%1, yet up to 97% of women who carry that risk don’t know it.2 Patients who know their hereditary or familial cancer risk have better outcomes than those who don’t.3
“Had I known that I carried the BRCA1 mutation when I was first diagnosed, I would have had the opportunity for different treatment options. It’s an important lesson for providers – talk about family cancer history.”
AMY V. – BRCA1 mutation carrier, breast cancer survivor
Lynch Syndrome
As many as 1 in 370 people are Lynch syndrome carriers,4 yet 95% of them do not know.5 Lynch syndrome is the most common inherited cause of colon cancer and endometrial cancer. In fact, gynecologic cancer is a hallmark of Lynch syndrome. Early identification of Lynch syndrome can help manage cancer risk.5,6,7,8
“I feel like the luckiest person in the world to have this information. I can be a previvor. I can take control of my health now and make sure that I don’t ever have to deal with uterine or colon cancer like every woman in my maternal line has so far.”
JENNIFER PLENT – Lynch syndrome mutation carrier, cancer previvor
How it works
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Provider orders an Empower Hereditary Cancer Test.
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Patient provides a blood or saliva sample.
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Patients review results with their provider in about 2 weeks.
Actionable reports guide next steps, including:
- Detect cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage
- Identify risk-reducing medications and surgeries
- Inform surgical and therapeutic decisions following a cancer diagnosis
- Notify family members to help them proactively manage hereditary cancer risk
![emp-overview-actionable-report Actionable reports guide next steps](https://www.natera.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/emp-overview-actionable-report-1.png)
Making the difference for families with hereditary cancer
“Our mom isn’t here to walk us through this journey.” Hannah and Katie made proactive health plans together after learning they carry a BRCA1 mutation.
NEVA, Natera Educational Virtual Assistant
- Streamlined family cancer history intake
- Interactive results delivery and genetic education, available 24/7
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Is Empower right for you? Contact us.
References
1NCCN Guidelines Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast, Ovarian, and Pancreatic Cancer v.3.2023
2Knerr S, et al. Trends in BRCA Test Utilization in an Integrated Health System, 2005-2015. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2019 Aug 1;111(8):795-802. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djz008. PMID: 30753636; PMCID: PMC6695306.
3Domchek SM et al. Association of risk-reducing surgery in BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers with cancer risk and mortality. JAMA. 2010 Sep 1;304(9):967-75. doi:10.1001/jama.2010.1237. PMID: 20810374; PMCID: PMC2948529.
4Hampel H, de la Chapelle A. “How do we approach the goal of identifying everybody with Lynch syndrome?” Familial Cancer, Jun. 2013, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23568035/.
5Lowry, Blue Ribbon Panel Report. 2016. https://www.cancer.gov/research/key-initiatives/moonshot-cancer-initiative/blue-ribbon-panel#ui-id-3
6Cancer.net editorial board. “Lynch Syndrome.” Cancer.Net, 11 Aug. 2021, https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/lynch-syndrome.
7Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program (https://seer.cancer.gov/)
8Rubenstein JH et al. American Gastroenterological Association Institute Guideline on the Diagnosis and Management of Lynch Syndrome. Gastroenterology. 2015 Sep;149(3):777-82; quiz e16-7.f