If a member of your family is diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you are naturally concerned, in the first instance, about the person affected by this disease. Later, however, other concerns will often also start to play on your mind. Is it hereditary? Will I get it too? Can I do anything to reduce the risk?
At iGene we deal with heredity and prevention on a daily basis and help you find answers to these kinds of questions.
Ovarian cancer (ovarian carcinoma) is a malignant tumour on one or both ovaries. More than 1,200 women are affected by this disease every year, most of whom are over the age of 50. There are three forms of ovarian cancer, of which epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common. To begin with there are usually few symptoms, which means the disease is often only diagnosed at a late stage. Consequently, prognoses are poor.
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Genetic predisposition to ovarian cancer
Your personal risk of ovarian cancer depends on various factors. One of these is your DNA, but environmental factors and lifestyle also play a role, for example. To make a statement about your genetic predisposition, we examine mutations (changes or errors) in your DNA.
Please note: iGene does not identify all mutations in the BRCA genes. In practice around 90% of all BRCA-positive people can be detected (see brochure for more information).
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Preventing ovarian cancer
Scientists are finding out more and more about ways to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. That means you can take steps yourself to prevent ovarian cancer. iGene can help by sharing relevant scientific information with you.
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Want to reduce your risk of ovarian cancer?
An iGene Passport allows you to see straight away whether you have an increased or reduced risk of a large number of hereditary conditions, including ovarian cancer. If it becomes apparent that you are at an increased risk of ovarian cancer, you will also receive targeted information on how to reduce this risk.
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A healthy lifestyle thanks to your iGene Passport
For as long as you are using iGene you will continue to receive information based on the latest scientific insights. That means that if important discoveries are made in the future that will help you take even more effective steps to prevent ovarian cancer, you will be able to benefit from them straight away.