How the process works
Complete genome scans
Navigenics scans your complete genome to give you a picture of your genetic makeup. We look for one-letter variations in your DNA that serve as markers, giving insight into your risk for common conditions. Our thoroughness and discretion set us apart. We take your trust seriously and want you to trust the results we give you, so here's a step-by-step guide to how we work with your genetic information.
We pick conditions you can do something about
We test for health conditions that are actionable: They can be prevented, detected early or treated. That means that while we show you your genetic risk, you can still affect your overall risk by taking action. The conditions also are relatively common, affecting more than 1 in 1,000 people.
We select genetic markers based on strong science
Our team of Ph.D. geneticists selects genetic risk markers that are significantly associated with clearly defined health conditions and that have been validated by multiple well-designed studies. The studies typically have been published in top-tier peer-reviewed scientific journals such as Science, Nature and the New England Journal of Medicine.
We collect your sample
Our genome scan is performed on saliva, which is easier and less hazardous to collect than blood. Saliva contains cells from the inside of the mouth that are good sources of DNA.
You will collect your saliva in a specially designed, sealed container that we send you along with instructions for preparing it and mailing it back to us. It usually takes 5 or 10 minutes to provide enough saliva for the test. The container includes a solution that preserves your DNA until it arrives at the laboratory. You send the sample, identified only by a bar code, directly to the laboratory we use.
We use a government-certified laboratory
To ensure the quality and accuracy of your results, we use a "CLIA-certified" laboratory, meaning it complies with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, stringent federal regulations for the practices and reliability of laboratories that provide medical tests. We subject the sample processing to repeated quality checks and stringent data verification procedures.
When the saliva sample arrives in the laboratory, the amount of DNA in the sample is measured, and the sample is diluted to bring it to a standard concentration. Enzymes are applied to cut up the DNA in specific places so it can be tested. In order for the scan to detect variations, the initial amount of DNA must be multiplied, or amplified, millions of times.
We identify your genetic markers using a state-of-the-art chip
The chip Navigenics uses, the Affymetrix Genome-Wide Human SNP Array 6.0 ®, tests for nearly 2 million genetic markers, including more than 900,000 SNPs, or single nucleotide polymorphisms. These are one-letter variations in your DNA that can serve as markers for disease risk.
Your sample is loaded onto a testing chip and placed in an oven. Any DNA from the original sample that matches one of the chip's probes for a particular SNP will stick to that probe. Then the test unit is washed and stained with a fluorescent dye. The dye marks any DNA that sticks to a probe. Finally, the test units are placed in a scanner, which uses a laser to read the amount of fluorescence given off from each probe, showing which genetic variants were present in the original sample.
We give you a personalized report
The lab sends your results to Navigenics electronically via a secure transmission, where we interpret them using our specially developed formula. Once the results have been checked for quality control, they are posted to our secure Web site, where only you can view them. You are then alerted via e-mail that your risk assessment report is ready. You can expect to receive your results in six to eight weeks.
You will see your results on an overview screen, with tools that immediately enable you to compare your risks to the general population. Click on the icon for each condition, and you will get extensive information about the condition, including prevention or early detection measures that have been vetted by top medical specialists.
You review your results with your Genetic Counselor
Receiving your results is just the beginning. Our Genetic Counselors will talk through your report with you, answering any questions you may have. Now that you have been given insight into your potential genetic risks, our goal is to empower you to take action.
We will designate a Genetic Counselor for you to ensure continuity, so that you can consult with the same professional throughout your testing experience. You can get to know more about your Genetic Counselor in your report, where you will also receive a special number to reach her. You can consult with your Genetic Counselor by phone one time or many, based on your needs. During your appointment, your counselor will have confidential access to your Navigenics Health Compass report, so you can quickly and accurately discuss it together.
We help you work with your doctor
We believe that the information we give you can help you work with your doctor to detect potential conditions early. While you cannot change the genes you inherit, we will give you the most current information available on the measures you can take to stack the deck in your favor. We draw on the expertise of top medical specialists, with years of experience in research and the clinic, to give you the gist of cutting-edge research, summarized in ways you can use. By taking control of your health, you can focus on delaying the onset of certain conditions, lessening their severity or preventing them altogether.
We give you continued updates
Our service does not end with the initial scan. For as long as you remain a member, you will get updates via e-mail about new health information as it becomes available and passes our screening process.
