FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Yes. You will receive an email with a link to complete your registration.

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.

After completing the registration, return to the questionnaire using the link sent to your email. Enter your user name and password under “Sign In”.

Please email support@mygeneticstree.com to contact a genetic counselor who can assist you with technical or clinical issues.

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.

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.

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.

If you are adopted, please respond to the question "Are you Adopted?". Enter as much information as you have for your biological (blood) relatives.

Height and weight is needed to calculate a woman’s BMI, which is used to assess her risk of breast cancer.

Individuals of Eastern European Jewish descent are at increased risk for certain hereditary cancer syndromes.

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.

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.

Stepbrothers and stepsisters are not biological (blood) relatives. They should not be added to MyGeneticsTree.

Maternal is your mother’s side of the family. Paternal is your father’s side of the family.

Add your own biological sons and daughters here.

You can still enter relatives if they have passed away. For some relatives, we will ask more information about this.

At this time, MyGeneticsTree only asks for certain types of cancer. To enter a cancer that is not listed, select “Other Cancer”.

Enter as much information as you have for your family members’ cancers. Any information is better than no information at all.

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.

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.

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.

After completing the questionnaire:

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.

Using the Tyrer-Cuzick validated calculator, provides a 10-year and lifetime breast cancer risk estimate based on family history and personal risk factors.

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.

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.

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.

Patients can select from a list of healthcare providers, assigning them to the right clinician in your practice.

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.

Choose to allow patients to download a patient-friendly copy of their results.

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.

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.

The email address associated with each Location Group is designated to receive an email.

You have the option to allow patients to download a copy of their results. The results are customized and patient-friendly

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.

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.

Yes. Patients create a password associated with their email upon starting the questionnaire. This can be used to log back in.

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.”

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.

The Standard version takes approximately 15-30 minutes. The Lite version takes approximately 5-10 minutes.

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.

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.

For eligible patients, MyGeneticsTree will display a list of recommended tests for you to consider based on the patient’s history and medical necessity.

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.

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.