National Gallbladder and Bile Duct Cancer Awareness Month
This month, MyGeneticsTree acknowledges individuals and family members with a history of Gallbladder and Bile Duct Cancer
National Colorectal and Kidney Cancer Awareness Month
This month, MyGeneticsTree acknowledges individuals and family members with a history of Colorectal and Kidney Cancer
National Brain Cancer Awareness Month
This month, MyGeneticsTree acknowledges individuals and family members with a history of Brain Cancer
National Sarcoma Awareness Month
This month, MyGeneticsTree acknowledges individuals and family members with a history of Sarcoma Awareness
National Leukemia/Lymphoma, Ovarian and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
This month, MyGeneticsTree acknowledges individuals and family members with a history of Leukemia/Lymphoma, Ovarian and Prostate Cancer
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
This month, MyGeneticsTree acknowledges individuals and family members with a history of Breast Cancer
National Pancreatic and Stomach Cancer Awareness Month
This month, MyGeneticsTree acknowledges individuals and family members with a history of Pancreatic and Stomach Cancer
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Patient FAQs
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Registration and Login
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Will I receive an email after registering?
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Yes. You will receive an email with a link to complete your registration.
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Can I save my information and come back later to finish?
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Yes. By registering for an account, you can create a user name and password to log back into MyGeneticsTree. Your information will be saved and you can update it anytime.
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How can I sign back in at a later time?
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After completing the registration, return to the questionnaire using the link sent to your email. Enter your user name and password under “Sign In”.
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Support and Privacy
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When using MyGeneticsTree, is there an email I can reach for general support?
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Please email support@mygeneticstree.com to contact a genetic counselor who can assist you with technical or clinical issues.
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Is my family history and genetic information protected?
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The Genetic Non-Discriminatory Act (GINA) protects individuals from genetic discrimination. Click here to download a guide to GINA to learn the protections and limitations of the law.
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Why do you need my personal information?
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Certain information is required to register and complete MyGeneticsTree such as your name, email address, gender, and birth date, which are necessary for assessing your personal risk for hereditary cancer.
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Does MyGeneticsTree sell or share my data?
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No. MyGeneticsTree only allows your healthcare provider(s) or healthcare provider who requested you complete MyGeneticsTree to access data, or genetic counselor associated with your care.
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Filling out the Questionnaire
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I am adopted. What should I enter in the family history section?
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If you are adopted, please respond to the question "Are you Adopted?". Enter as much information as you have for your biological (blood) relatives.
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Why does MyGeneticsTree ask me for my height and weight?
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Height and weight is needed to calculate a woman’s BMI, which is used to assess her risk of breast cancer.
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Why does MyGeneticsTree ask me if my parents are of Ashkenazi Jewish descent?
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Individuals of Eastern European Jewish descent are at increased risk for certain hereditary cancer syndromes.
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Do I have to enter my family members’ names?
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Entering names may help you distinguish between relatives, however, you do not have to enter your relatives’ names if you do not know or do not wish to.
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Are there relatives that are excluded from MyGeneticsTree?
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MyGeneticsTree does not use second cousins, or first cousins once-removed. We also do not use the children of half-siblings, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren.
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I have a stepbrother or stepsister. What should I enter in this section?
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Stepbrothers and stepsisters are not biological (blood) relatives. They should not be added to MyGeneticsTree.
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What sides of the family are “maternal” and “paternal”?
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Maternal is your mother’s side of the family. Paternal is your father’s side of the family.
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Whose children should be added when it asks if I have "sons" or "daughters"?
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Add your own biological sons and daughters here.
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What if my family members are no longer living?
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You can still enter relatives if they have passed away. For some relatives, we will ask more information about this.
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The cancer my family member had is not listed, what should I check?
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At this time, MyGeneticsTree only asks for certain types of cancer. To enter a cancer that is not listed, select “Other Cancer”.
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What if I don’t know the age of onset, or additional details about my family member’s cancer?
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Enter as much information as you have for your family members’ cancers. Any information is better than no information at all.
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What is “metastasis”?
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Metastasis means a cancer spread to another location. In general, MyGeneticsTree only asks for the primary (original) site of cancer, and not the location to which it spread. For example, if a relative had breast cancer that spread to their stomach, you only need to add the breast cancer.
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Where can I enter negative genetic testing results?
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At this time, MyGeneticsTree only asks for a history of positive genetic testing. If you have a personal or family history of negative genetic mutation testing, please use the text box to add details of the testing and discuss this with your healthcare provider.
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Why do you need to know the ages of some of my relatives that didn’t have cancer, but not of others?
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MyGeneticsTree estimates breast cancer risk and this calculation requires us to gather more information about certain female relatives in the family. For other relatives, we only need the information if they have had cancer.
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After MyGeneticsTree
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What should I do after completing the questionnaire?
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After completing the questionnaire:
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You will be immediately notified as to whether or not you meet criteria for testing for inherited (genetic) cancer.
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If your healthcare provider asked you to complete MyGeneticsTree, they will also receive a copy of your results.
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If you found MyGeneticsTree on your own, you will be able to download your own copy to share with a genetic counselor or your healthcare provider.
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Please be sure to review your results with a qualified healthcare provider at your next appointment. He or she will be able to assist you in the determining the next steps to manage your cancer prevention plan.
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Healthcare Provider FAQs
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Customizations
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What is the MyGeneticsTree Version option?
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The standard version of MyGeneticsTree contains more data collection. In addition to determining eligibility for testing, it also allows for the generation of a pedigree, and a breast cancer risk estimate through Tyrer-Cuzick. The “lite” version is shorter and contains fewer questions. It only determines eligibility for testing.
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What is the Breast Cancer Risk Estimate option?
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Using the Tyrer-Cuzick validated calculator, provides a 10-year and lifetime breast cancer risk estimate based on family history and personal risk factors.
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What is the Pedigree?
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A pedigree is a visual picture of the family history, often 3-5 generations. It easily allows you to determine the degree of relationship among family members and identify patterns of cancer within a family. It is often used by insurance companies to determine testing coverage or for counseling patients on risk.
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What is the Test Menu option?
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For any patient that meets criteria for testing, a list of recommended tests displays, depending on the patient’s history. We also allow users to customize what tests are displayed, helping to standardize the inherited cancer risk assessment in the practice.
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What is the Genetic Counseling Referral?
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MyGeneticsTree is proud to offer a simple digital referral to the genetic counseling service MyGeneTeam. Selecting this option will allow staff to generate and send a referral for pre- and post-test genetic counseling.
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What is the Provider List option?
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Patients can select from a list of healthcare providers, assigning them to the right clinician in your practice.
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What is the New and Community Patient Group?
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Additional benefit for new patients who do not yet have a healthcare provider assigned, and community members who may find your website. Easy to manage and follow-up with patients.
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What are Patient Friendly Results?
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Choose to allow patients to download a patient-friendly copy of their results.
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Administration
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Who can access the MyGeneticsTree dashboard and portal?
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All healthcare providers and staff can login to manage patients. By default, healthcare providers will only see their assigned patients, but may extend the view to all patients.
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Can I make changes to my MyGeneticsTree customizations?
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Most changes can be made by your designated Admin, or by contacting MyGeneticsTree support. At this time, we cannot allow changes to the version of MyGeneticsTree (Lite v Standard). Please note changes can affect existing data for patients.
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Patient Use and Workflow
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Will I get an email when my patient completes MyGeneticsTree?
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The email address associated with each Location Group is designated to receive an email.
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What will my patients receive after completing MyGeneticsTree?
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You have the option to allow patients to download a copy of their results. The results are customized and patient-friendly
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How can I invite patients to complete MyGeneticsTree?
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Please share your custom URL with the patient. You may order cards to hand out, text or email the link, or direct patients to your practice websites.
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How can I remind patients to finish MyGeneticsTree?
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Patients who have started but not completed the questionnaire are sent a reminder email after 72 hours. You can also filter to Incomplete patients, select them, and choose “Send a Reminder Email” which can be customized.
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If a patient starts but doesn’t finish the questionnaire, can they access it later?
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Yes. Patients create a password associated with their email upon starting the questionnaire. This can be used to log back in.
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Can I make edits to a patient’s questionnaire?
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Yes. Select the patient from the Patients List. Click “Edit Patient Information”. Be sure to submit the questionnaire again so changes are visible. A revision log is visible under “History.”
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General MyGeneticsTree questions
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Why doesn’t my patient have a breast cancer risk estimate?
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There are several possibilities. 1. You do not have the Standard version of MyGeneticsTree. 2. You do not have this feature turned on in your customizations. 3. The patient is under 20 years or over 85 years old. 4. The patient has a history of breast cancer. 5. The patient is male.
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How long will it take patients to complete MyGeneticsTree?
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The Standard version takes approximately 15-30 minutes. The Lite version takes approximately 5-10 minutes.
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What results can I expect from MyGeneticsTree?
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MyGeneticsTree has been administered to over 6000 patients. So far, we have observed up to 28% of female participants meeting criteria and 18% of female participants with an elevated lifetime breast cancer risk.
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Next steps after MyGeneticsTree
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Is genetic counseling available for patients before and/or after testing?
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Pre-test genetic counseling is useful for some patients to determine insurance coverage, discuss testing options, and support patients with what to expect. Post-test genetic counseling can help patients understand their result and recommended management. You may choose to use our digital genetic counseling referral, allowing you to easily refer patients for counseling via phone or web conference. Or you can locate a local genetic counselor by going to the National Society of Genetic Counselors website: www.nsgc.org.
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How do I know what test to order?
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For eligible patients, MyGeneticsTree will display a list of recommended tests for you to consider based on the patient’s history and medical necessity.
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My patient doesn’t meet criteria but I think they should / they still want testing. What should I do?
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The MyGeneticsTree criteria are based on interpretations of national clinical guidelines for genetic testing. Patients who fall outside of these testing criteria may still benefit from testing, but insurance coverage can vary. Please check the patient’s insurer specific criteria for genetic testing to determine coverage.
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How often should patients update their information?
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In general, it is recommended patients update their information on at least an annual basis, or with changes to personal and/or family history. Patients may access their MyGeneticsTree account at any time. These changes are sent back to healthcare providers.
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