In time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a new partnership between Counsyl and UCSF aims to give free genetic cancer screenings to every San Francisco Bay Area woman who wants one. 

It is said that one in eight American women will develop invasive breast cancer. This year alone, more than 230,000 women are expected to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer; about 60,000 will be diagnosed with non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer. To do its part during Pink October, UCSF is teaming with health technology company Counsyl and the national nonprofit Bright Pink for Get Ahead of Cancer SF.

The project aims to offer all San Francisco Bay Area women a genetic cancer screeningthat can identify BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, among others, which are associated with higher risks of inherited breast, ovarian, and gynecological cancers. While doctor’s appointment fees may apply, the screenings are free. Patients who submit a saliva or blood sample to Counsyl will receive their results within just two weeks.

Following the screening, women will have access to Counsyl’s team of board-certified genetic counselors, which has provided more than 10,000 hours of counseling to help patients understand their results quickly and become empowered to make informed decisions about their health.  //  To see a list of participating Bay Area physicians and get your free genetic screening, visitgetaheadofcancer.counsyl.com.