How do I get a DNA Health Check?

To book a DNA Health Check, youâ€™ll need to meet the eligibility criteria stated above. Youâ€™ll also need to book a Be.Ahead or Be.Reassured health assessment. You can do this online or by calling our bookings team on 0330 127 7805. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm. Saturday 8am to 4pm. We may record or monitor our phone calls.

Will this impact my health insurance policy?

Your Bupa health insurance does not require, or pressure you to have a predictive genetic test. Bupa will not ask for, or take into account the result of, a predictive genetic test, including for existing insurance policies. This is because Bupa Insurance has signed up to the Code on Genetic Testing and Insurance (a voluntary code of practice agreed between HM Government and the Association of British Insurers) (the "Code"). You should, however, be aware that: a) If you live or plan to live outside of the UK, the Code will not apply and you may be asked to disclose the results of any genetic testing you have had to your health insurer; and b) If you seek insurance from a company in the UK which has not signed up to the Code they will not be bound by its terms.

Where can I take part from?

You must live on mainland Great Britain to take part. You will not be able to do this test if you live in Northern Ireland or outside of Great Britain. This is because of the medical regulations of the DNA Health Check.

How long does it take to get my results when I send my sample?

Once you have completed and returned your saliva sample collection kit, it will take approximately 4 to 6 weeks for your results to be ready. At this point we will contact you to inform you that your results are ready. You can then book an appointment with a Bupa GP to discuss your results.

DNA Health Check

Stay one step ahead and understand your risk of developing certain health conditions.

Add on to your Be.Reassured or Be.Ahead health assessment for £250.

Book online now

A DNA Health Check can help you manage your long-term health

A DNA Health Check looks at your genetic risk of developing conditions like breast or prostate cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, so you can take steps to stay healthier for longer.

The test combines your DNA with a health check to give you a personalised Polygenic Risk Score (PRS). This shows how your genes may affect your health and how some lifestyle changes could make a difference.

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Understanding the DNA Health Check

Dr Rebecca Rohrer explains more about the DNA Health Check, including what the benefits are and what conditions the test checks for.

Transcript

Who are you?

Hey, I'm Dr. Rebecca Aurora,

and I'm the Director of Clinical Innovation

and Genomics at Bupa.

I'm a working GP.

I'm a mum of three boys and a breast cancer survivor.

What is your background?

So I'm a GP still practising in the NHS,

and I've also got a background in management consultancy.

My current focus is on leading our genomics programme in the

UK and helping to bring innovation to our hospitals

and clinics in the UK.

What is the DNA Health Check?

The DNA health check is a polygenic risk score test

that estimates an individual's genetic predisposition

to certain common conditions.

It assesses the cumulative influence of lots

of genetic variants across the genome,

and it indicates an individual's genetic likelihood

of developing a particular condition.

What are the benefits of having a DNA Health Check?

By using your health information from your health

assessment for cardiovascular disease risk

and type two diabetes,

we can combine your current health information

with your genetic predisposition

to calculate an enhanced risk score

of developing these conditions.

Individuals identified with a higher polygenic risk

for specific conditions can then benefit from

proactive health measures.

This includes more frequent screenings,

preventative strategies,

and even considering early medical treatment

for conditions like cardiometabolic diseases.

Early detection can significantly improve your long-term

health outcomes.

What conditions does the DNA Health Check test for?

It tests for breast or prostate cancer, type two diabetes

and cardiovascular disease.

What is involved with the test?

The test requires you to provide a DNA sample

through a simple saliva sample collected into a tube.

Once we have your results, we'll contact you

to book an appointment with one of our GPS to discuss them.

After your appointment, you'll then receive a copy

of your report by email.

Do I need to prepare for the test?

It is a really simple test to do,

but it's important that you don't eat, drink, smoke, vape,

brush your teeth, or chew any gum for 30 minutes

before you do the test.

How long does it take to receive my results and how do I get them?

It can take four to six weeks

after the lab has received your saliva sample

for you to get your results.

We'll then contact you to book an appointment with one

of our GPS to discuss them.

What happens to my DNA sample after testing?

Your saliva sample will be destroyed

after testing takes place,

and you'll receive a report with your personalised results

after speaking to one of our gps.

Where is my data stored?

We retain your data, including genetic data, risk scores,

and results for up to 20 years,

and that allows us to meet our legal

and regulatory requirements.

But your data is stored securely,

and it won't be used for any purposes other than those

outlined in our privacy notice.

For any more information, click on the link.

Will my health insurer get access to my results?

If you have health insurance

or a part of a health trust, we won't share the results

of your tests with your insurer in the uk.

But it's really important that you know

that if you have a DNA health check, if you live

or plan to live outside the uk,

then local laws may require you to disclose the results

of any genetic testing you've had to your insurer.

What will my results look like?

Your Bupa GP will share your DNA health check results

with you during an online consultation.

You'll be able to book your online consultation

once your results are ready.

Your results will include your genetic risk score

for each condition that applies to you.

Does this test cover the BRCA gene?

No, this test doesn't assess the BRCA one

or BRCA two genes directly.

Instead, it provides a polygenic risk score

for breast cancer that's based on thousands

of common genetic variants across your genome.

Each of these variants contributes a small amount

to your overall risk.

Now, to put this in context,

about one in eight women in the UK will be diagnosed

with breast cancer in their lifetime,

but only about one in 250 people in the general UK

population carry a BRCA one or BRCA two variant.

This means that while BRCA variants are really important,

they account for only a small proportion

of breast cancer cases.

Most cases aren't linked to brca,

and that's where polygenic risk scores can be really helpful

by identifying additional genetic factors

that influence risk.

So while BRCA testing is essential for people

with a strong family history

or specific clinical features,

polygenic risk scores offer a broader view

of genetic risk in the general population.

Okay.

How is this test different from other genetic tests?

DNA health check looks at millions

of common variants across many genes

and how they affect your risk

of developing common conditions.

This is different to many other genetic tests in healthcare,

which have mainly focused on conditions linked

to variants in single genes.

It's also different from genetic tests

that help you learn about your family history

and family origins,

and we often refer to those as ancestry testing

or those that allow you to match and connect with relatives.

What do my results mean for my family?

Your results only tell you about your own genetic risk

of developing common conditions.

Another family member's genetic risk

of developing the same condition may be different.

Your results are based on the combined effects of millions

of genetic variants.

Family members, even if they're closely related,

may inherit different genetic variants and may

therefore have different risk.

The DNA health check doesn't look at rare illnesses

that run in families and a link

to specific variants or genes.

And if you are concerned about your risk

of a rare genetic condition, it's best to talk

to your doctor about other types of genetic testing.

Why do some results give a 10-year risk, while others give a lifetime risk?

The results tell you how likely you are

to develop each condition in a certain timeframe.

The timeframe is either the next 10 years

or your lifetime risk,

which is generally considered by the age of 80.

Now, the risk of developing cardiovascular disease

and type two diabetes is provided as a 10 year risk.

While the risk of breast

and prostate cancer is calculated as a lifetime risk,

we base these timeframes on recommendations from clinical

guidelines.

Are polygenic risk scores relevant to people of all ancestries?

The performance of the polygenic risk score varies across

different ancestry groups, and that's

because of the availability

of the data used to train the scores.

They're really powerful methodologies

to minimise the bias in ancestry, in polygenic risk scores.

But even with this predictive power,

it's not equal in all populations.

Can I have a DNA Health Check if I am pregnant or breast feeding?

Unfortunately, the test isn't suitable if you're pregnant

or breastfeeding, so we'd recommend that you wait

until afterwards.

How can I access the DNA health check?

DNA health check is a test

that you can add on to your health assessment.

You can select it when you book your health assessment,

and in some cases you can add it on afterwards.

Who do I contact if I have any other questions?

If you have any questions,

please email our admin team using [email protected]

and they'll be able to help you.

We test for certain cancers and conditions

Our DNA Health Check is most effective for certain age groups to help with prevention and awareness. It is not a diagnostic tool. We follow standard clinical guidance for which tests are suitable.

How our DNA Health Check works

Is a DNA Health Check right for me?

What's next?

My Genomic Health is supplied by Bupa Occupational Health Limited. Registered in England and Wales with registration number 631336. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London EC2R 7HJ

DNA Health Check

A DNA Health Check can help you manage your long-term health