Information is Power Initiative
The Information is Power initiative provides individuals in North Alabama information about their cancer risks. The simple saliva test screens for the well-known BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, as well as several dozen other genes linked to breast, ovarian, colon, prostate, pancreatic, and other cancers. The test is offered at a reduced rate of $129 for those 19 and older, and is still FREE for those 28, 29, and 30 years of age in Madison, Limestone, Jackson, Marshall, or Morgan Counties.
Undiagnosed Disease
Many individuals with undiagnosed and misdiagnosed disease embark on years-long diagnostic odysseys. The Smith Family Clinic for Genomic Medicine helps provide diagnoses for these patients. By using genetic sequencing technologies like whole genome sequencing, the Smith Family Clinic team aims to identify variants, or changes in the DNA, linked to the disease to help patients find answers. Through the Hero Fund, qualified clinic patients have the opportunity to find answers without the financial burden.
Genetic Counselor Consult
Genetic counseling is the process of helping individuals understand how genetic information relates to human health and disease risk. At the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and the Smith Family Clinic, genetic counseling is available for patients and their medical providers to review the interpretation of genetic test results. HudsonAlpha’s genetic counselors provide a critical service to individuals and families undergoing genetic testing by investigating family history and interpreting the information gathered from both risk assessments and the genetic testing process itself.