Q: How are the COLARIS® and COLARIS AP®
tests performed?
A: Your doctor draws a small amount of your blood
or refers you to a blood draw facility and then sends it to Myriad
Genetic Laboratories for analysis. This analysis involves a complex
process called
gene
sequencing. These tests also look for large rearrangements in
the genes that will not be identified by gene sequencing.
Q: How long do I have to wait for the results of my
COLARIS® or COLARIS AP® test?
A: Your doctor will share test results with you as
soon as they are available, which can be as soon as four weeks from the
date your test is started.
Q: Will my health insurance pay for the COLARIS® or
COLARIS AP® test?
A: Most health insurance plans pay for
COLARIS® and COLARIS AP®. Call the Myriad
Reimbursement Assistance Program (MRAP) at 800-469-7423 for more
details about the reimbursement process. MRAP can also assist you
with determining coverage through your insurance company.
Q: Can my health insurance provider discriminate against
me based on my COLARIS® or COLARIS AP® test
results?
A: A number of federal and state laws prohibit insurance discrimination to various degrees. The Health Insurance Portability Protection Act (HIPAA) recognizes genetic information as Protected Health Information (PHI) and specifies protection for the confidentiality of PHI. HIPAA also provides restrictions on health-related information in making coverage decisions and in setting premiums by group health insurers, although HIPAA does not provide such restrictions for non-group plans. HIPAA further states that genetic information in the absence of a diagnosis cannot be considered a pre-existing condition. In the federal government, executive departments and agencies are prohibited by executive order from using protected genetic information as a basis for employment decisions. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has interpreted the Americans with Disabilities act to provide some additional protections from the use of genetic information by employers. Many states have enacted additional protections against genetic discrimination in health insurance or employment or both. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act is currently awaiting final approval in the US Senate, to complete broad protection of genetic information.
Q: If I've already been diagnosed with cancer, what
would a positive COLARIS® test mean?
A: People with
HNPCC
gene mutations are at a greater risk of developing a new cancer,
either in the colon, endometrium or other HNPCC-related cancer
areas. Knowing your genetic status can help you take steps to
reduce this risk or to detect another potential cancer at an early,
more treatable stage. Also, your test results have significant
meaning to the health of your family members.
Q: If I've already been clinically diagnosed with FAP or
AFAP, what would a positive COLARIS AP® test
mean?
A: People with an
APC
mutation are at a greater risk of developing extracolonic cancer
such as duodenal or gastric. Knowing your genetic status can help
you take steps to reduce this risk or to detect another potential
cancer at an early, more treatable stage. Also, your test results
have significant meaning to the health of your family members
especially because of the juvenile onset of FAP.
Additionally, sometimes patients who have been clinically diagnosed with FAP or AFAP may actually have mutations in their MYH genes, leading to a different condition, called MAP. If a patient has MAP rather than FAP/AFAP, the risks to family members are different. Thus, genetic testing can be important in distinguishing between MAP and FAP/AFAP in certain families.
Q: Does a positive COLARIS® or COLARIS
AP® test result mean that I currently have cancer -
for example, a tumor that wasn't previously
diagnosed?
The COLARIS® and COLARIS AP® tests do not
determine or confirm if you currently have cancer. Results
determine if you have a mutation in an inherited colorectal cancer
gene and are then at a higher risk of developing colorectal and
other associated cancers.
Q: If I take the COLARIS® test for an HNPCC gene
mutation or the COLARIS AP® test for an APC
or MYH gene mutation and either test result is positive,
what are my options for preventing cancer?
A: You and your doctor would have a number of
options to discuss based on your test
results. Options range from increased surveillance to
preventive surgery.
A genetic test for hereditary nonpolyposis
colorectal cancer (HNPCC)
A genetic test for adenomatous polyposis
syndromes
