One in 75 Australians have one of these DNA variants, but many don’t know it. DNA Screen has already completed a pilot study of 10,000 18 to 40-year-olds across Australia, offering them a free DNA test to look for variants that increase the risk of some cancers or heart disease.

A saliva sample, collected simply at home, is all the test requires.

The world-first DNA Screen pilot study was funded by the Australian Government and led by Monash University, in collaboration with institutions and researchers from around Australia. Personal data collected is private and confidential.

Most people we test will not have the DNA variants we are looking for, and the increased risk of disease they bring. People who have one of these variants will be offered genetic counselling to explain the test results and discuss next steps. They will also be offered effective, proven risk-reducing steps to prevent disease or catch and treat it early. The DNA Screen pilot study identified 202 individuals with high risk DNA variants. For these individuals, participation in DNA Screen may have been life-saving. See some of their stories here.

We are now seeking to scale the program up to 100,000 people, with additional support from the Australian Government. Your participation could help Australia become the first country to offer preventive DNA screening through a public healthcare system. To find out more about how your DNA may influence your future health, simply click below to register your interest.