CoGenesis® Pan-Cancer
Hereditary Cancer Risk Genetic Testing
Hereditary Cancer-Related Genes
Analyses 123 genes associated with hereditary cancer risk in a single test.
Broad Cancer Risk Coverage
Covers multiple hereditary cancer syndromes and associated cancer types.
Next-Generation Sequencing
Uses a multi-gene panel to analyse multiple cancer susceptibility genes simultaneously.
Typical Reporting Time
Actual turnaround time may vary depending on sample condition and laboratory workflow.
HEREDITARY CANCER RISK ASSESSMENT
CoGenesis® Pan-Cancer
Hereditary Cancer Risk Genetic Testing
Cancer develops through a combination of age, environmental exposure, lifestyle and biological factors. A proportion of cancers are associated with inherited genetic variants that can be passed through families.
CoGenesis® Pan-Cancer is a multi-gene germline test using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to analyze 123 genes associated with hereditary cancer risk, covering multiple cancer susceptibility syndromes and risk categories.
For individuals whose personal or family history involves multiple cancer types, cancer diagnosed at a relatively young age, or patterns that cannot be explained by a single cancer syndrome, a multi-gene panel may provide a broader view of inherited cancer risk.
Important: CoGenesis® Pan-Cancer is a germline genetic test for hereditary cancer risk. It is not a screening test for determining whether cancer is currently present in the body.
UNDERSTANDING INHERITED RISK
What Is Hereditary Cancer?
Most cancers are not caused by a single inherited gene. However, some people are born with germline variants associated with a higher risk of developing certain cancers.
Genetic Information Present from Birth
Germline variants are present in cells throughout the body. They may be inherited from a parent and may also have implications for the genetic risk assessment of blood relatives.
Increased Risk Does Not Mean Cancer Is Certain
Genetic testing provides information about inherited risk. Results should be interpreted alongside age, sex, family history, lifestyle factors and other relevant medical information.
Results May Have Implications for Family Members
If a clinically significant inherited variant is identified, healthcare professionals may assess whether blood relatives should consider targeted cascade testing.
WHY A MULTI-GENE PANEL
Why Consider a Multi-Gene Panel?
Different hereditary cancer syndromes can have overlapping clinical features. When several cancer types occur within the same family, a broader multi-gene panel may help provide a more complete assessment of inherited risk.
Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Covers genes associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, as well as inherited risk for certain pancreatic and prostate cancers.
Lynch Syndrome and Colorectal Cancer
Assesses hereditary colorectal cancer associated with DNA mismatch repair genes, together with other related cancer risks.
Hereditary Polyposis Syndromes
Includes genes associated with familial adenomatous polyposis and other hereditary conditions linked to increased colorectal cancer risk.
Hereditary Gastric Cancer
Covers genes associated with hereditary diffuse gastric cancer and related inherited cancer risk conditions.
Susceptibility to Multiple Solid Tumours
Includes genes associated with broader hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes and should be interpreted alongside personal and family medical history.
Other Hereditary Cancer Risks
The panel also covers inherited risk associated with prostate cancer, kidney cancer, endocrine tumours, pheochromocytoma, paraganglioma and other hereditary cancer conditions.
WHO MAY NEED ASSESSMENT
Who May Consider Further Hereditary Risk Assessment?
The situations below do not automatically mean a Pan-Cancer Panel is required. They are reasons to discuss personal and family cancer risk with an appropriate healthcare professional.
Cancer Diagnosed at a Younger Age
Certain cancers diagnosed at a relatively young age may warrant further assessment for a possible inherited cancer risk.
Multiple Family Members with Cancer
Further genetic risk assessment may be considered when the same or related cancers occur among first-degree relatives or across generations.
Multiple Primary Cancers in One Individual
The occurrence of separate primary cancers in the same individual may indicate a need for a more comprehensive assessment of inherited risk.
Bilateral or Multifocal Cancers
Patterns such as bilateral breast cancer or other unusual presentations may warrant discussion with a healthcare professional about genetic assessment.
Different Cancer Types Within the Family
This may include breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate and colorectal cancers occurring within the same family.
Known Pathogenic Variant in the Family
If a blood relative has a confirmed pathogenic variant associated with hereditary cancer risk, targeted family testing may be considered.
BMS TESTING PATHWAY
BMS Hereditary Cancer Risk Assessment Pathway
The goal is not simply to “test 123 genes,” but to determine whether testing is appropriate and how the result may inform subsequent health management.
Medical and Family History Assessment
Review personal cancer history, cancer types within the family, age at diagnosis and family relationships as the basis for hereditary cancer risk assessment.
Select the Appropriate Test
Based on personal and family risk factors, assess whether a Pan-Cancer Panel or a more focused cancer-related genetic test may be more appropriate.
Sample Collection
Depending on the testing arrangement, blood, saliva or a buccal swab may be collected as the sample for germline DNA analysis.
NGS Multi-Gene Analysis
Next-generation sequencing is used to analyse 123 genes associated with hereditary cancer risk.
Report and Medical Interpretation
Genetic findings are interpreted alongside personal history, family history and other relevant medical information to help guide appropriate follow-up health management.
UNDERSTANDING THE REPORT
What Can a Genetic Test Result Mean?
Hereditary cancer genetic testing is not simply “positive” or “negative.” Different categories of findings have different clinical meanings.
Pathogenic / Likely Pathogenic Variant
This means the test has identified a genetic variant for which there is currently sufficient evidence linking it to an increased risk of a specific hereditary cancer condition.
- Earlier or more intensive health surveillance may be considered
- Further assessment of specific organs or cancer risks may be appropriate
- Targeted cascade testing for blood relatives may be discussed
- Follow-up should be determined according to the gene involved, personal history and professional medical assessment
No Clearly Pathogenic Variant Identified
This means the test did not identify a currently known genetic variant that can be clearly classified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic in relation to the conditions assessed.
Variant of Uncertain Significance
A VUS indicates that the available evidence is currently insufficient to determine whether the genetic variant is associated with an increased risk of disease or cancer.
Hereditary Cancer Testing
≠ Cancer Screening
This type of testing is primarily used to assess inherited cancer risk. It is not designed to determine whether cancer is currently present.
GERMLINE VS TUMOR TESTING
How Is Germline Testing Different from Tumor Genetic Testing?
Germline Genetic Testing
Tumour Somatic Genetic Testing
WHY BMS CLINIC
More Than “Testing 123 Genes”
What matters is why testing is being considered and how the result may influence future health management.
Personal and Family Medical History
Review which cancers have occurred in the individual and family, the age at diagnosis, family relationships and the pattern of disease as an important foundation for hereditary cancer risk assessment.
Selecting the Appropriate Test
Not everyone requires the broadest available genetic panel. Testing should be selected according to personal and family risk factors, with consideration of whether a comprehensive or more focused panel is appropriate.
Professional Interpretation of Results
Distinguish between pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants, negative results and variants of uncertain significance (VUS), while interpreting findings alongside personal and family history rather than relying on the genetic report alone.
Family Risk Management
If a clinically significant inherited variant is identified, blood relatives may be assessed for appropriate genetic counselling, targeted cascade testing and relevant health management.
This page is provided for medical education, general health information, and service introduction purposes only. It does not replace personalised risk assessment, diagnosis, or medical advice from a doctor, genetics professional, or other qualified healthcare professional.
CoGenesis® Pan-Cancer is a germline multi-gene test related to hereditary cancer risk. The results reflect the analysis of specific genetic variants and cannot, on their own, determine whether cancer is currently present, establish cancer stage, or identify cancer recurrence. The test does not replace pathology, imaging, endoscopy, liquid biopsy, or other appropriate cancer-related investigations.
Genetic testing may identify a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant, no clearly pathogenic variant, or a variant of uncertain significance (VUS). The clinical significance of any result should be professionally interpreted in the context of personal and family history, previous diagnoses, and relevant medical guidelines. Any cancer surveillance, risk management, family cascade testing, or other follow-up medical arrangements should be determined according to individual circumstances and professional medical assessment.
Learn More About Your Hereditary Cancer Risk
CoGenesis® Pan-Cancer analyzes 123 genes associated with hereditary cancer risk, helping to provide a broader view of possible inherited risk in the context of personal and family history. Whether a Pan-Cancer multigene panel is appropriate, and what the results may mean for future surveillance or family risk management, should be interpreted together with personal cancer history, family history, and other relevant medical information by a qualified healthcare professional.
References
Official Product and Testing Information for CoGenesis® Pan-Cancer:
Inherited Cancer Risk and Indications for Genetic Testing:
- National Cancer Institute (NCI). Genetic Testing for Inherited Cancer Risk. National Cancer Institute.
- National Cancer Institute (NCI). The Genetics of Cancer. National Cancer Institute.
- National Cancer Institute (NCI). Cancer Genetics Risk Assessment and Counseling (PDQ®) — Health Professional Version. National Cancer Institute.
Multigene Panels, NGS and Hereditary Cancer Risk Assessment:
- National Cancer Institute (NCI). Cancer Genetics Risk Assessment and Counseling (PDQ®) — Multigene (Panel) Testing. National Cancer Institute.
- National Cancer Institute (NCI). Cancer Genetics Overview (PDQ®) — Clinical Sequencing and Multigene Testing. National Cancer Institute.
- National Cancer Institute (NCI). Genetic Testing for Inherited Cancer Risk — Multigene Panel Testing. National Cancer Institute.
Interpretation of Pathogenic Variants, Negative Results and VUS:
- Richards S, Aziz N, Bale S, et al. Standards and Guidelines for the Interpretation of Sequence Variants: A Joint Consensus Recommendation of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the Association for Molecular Pathology. Genetics in Medicine. 2015;17(5):405–424. doi:10.1038/gim.2015.30.
- National Cancer Institute (NCI). Genetic Testing for Inherited Cancer Risk — Understanding Positive, Negative and Variant of Uncertain Significance Results. National Cancer Institute.
- National Cancer Institute (NCI). Cancer Genetics Risk Assessment and Counseling (PDQ®) — Interpretation and Counseling for Variants of Uncertain Significance. National Cancer Institute.
Family Cascade Testing and Germline vs Somatic Testing:
- National Cancer Institute (NCI). Cancer Genetics Risk Assessment and Counseling (PDQ®) — Cascade Genetic Testing of Family Members. National Cancer Institute.
- National Cancer Institute (NCI). Cancer Genetics Overview (PDQ®) — Germline Cancer Susceptibility and Cascade Testing. National Cancer Institute.
- National Cancer Institute (NCI). Biomarker Testing for Cancer Treatment. National Cancer Institute.
- National Cancer Institute (NCI). Definition of Somatic Testing. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms.