The Genomics and Risk Assessment for Cancer Early Detection Program
At AdventHealth, we're committed to helping people better understand their personal cancer risk so they can make informed decisions about prevention, screening, and early detection.
As part of routine care at participating locations, patients may be asked questions about their personal and family health history. This information helps us identify individuals who may benefit from additional support through our Genomics and Risk Assessment for Cancer Early Detection (GRACE) Program.
Our team provides personalized recommendations that may include
- Genetic counseling
- Genetic testing
- Additional screening
- Referral to high-risk specialists
- Or a combination of services designed to support your health and well-being.
How GRACE Works
GRACE Program Video
Your Grace Program Journey
Step 1: Share Your Health Information
As part of your regular check-in process, you will be asked a series of questions once a year about your personal and family health history.
The information you provide helps our team better understand your individual cancer risk and determine whether additional services may be beneficial for you.
Step 2: Review by Our Specialized Team
Our team reviews the information you provide to identify individuals who may benefit from additional cancer risk evaluation, prevention strategies, or early detection services.
Step 3: Receive Personalized Recommendations
Based on your personal and family history, recommendations may include:
- Genetic counseling
- Genetic testing
- Enhanced cancer screening
- Referral to a high-risk specialist
- Prevention and risk-reduction education
- Lifestyle and Prevention Guidance
- A combination of these services
Not everyone will need the same recommendations. Our goal is to connect you with the right care at the right time based on your individual needs.
Hereditary Cancer Can Affect Anyone
Most cancers occur by chance, but some are caused by inherited genetic changes passed through families.
Hereditary cancer syndromes can increase the risk for:
- Breast cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Endometrial (uterine) cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Melanoma
- Gastric cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Other cancers
Your family history can help identify these risks and guide prevention strategies.
Who Should Consider a Risk Assessment
Individuals receiving care at participating AdventHealth locations across Central Florida may be offered a personalized cancer risk assessment.
You may benefit from the GRACE Program if you:
- Have multiple family members with cancer
- Have relatives diagnosed at younger ages
- Have a known genetic mutation in the family
- Have concerns about your inherited cancer risk
- Have questions about cancer prevention or screening
- Are interested in understanding whether hereditary factors may affect your health
- Want to learn proactive strategies for prevention
Patients who are actively under the care of an oncologist for a cancer diagnosis or who are under the care of a high-risk cancer specialist are already receiving the best recommendations based on their specific health needs and do not need the GRACE Program services.
Questions? Click below to complete the form and our program team will be in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can join the program?
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Women and Men ages 18-84 who are scheduled for a mammography appointment, colonoscopy appointment, and/or primary care appointment at one of our locations/clinics within AdventHealth.
- Why are you looking at cancers that may have a hereditary cause, like breast and colon cancers?
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Some inherited gene changes greatly increase a person's chance of developing certain types of cancer. For example, people who have a BRCA2 or BRCA2 gene mutation have a high risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Another inherited condition, called Lynch Syndrome, can raise the risk of several cancers including colon, uterine, stomach, liver, kidney and brain cancers. Please with Lynch Syndrome may develop these cancers at a younger age. Knowing these risks can help people and their healthcare providers make better informed decisions about screening, prevention and early detection.
- Why is early detection so important?
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Early detection of cancer is associated with better health outcomes and lower cost of care to the patient. Additionally, if genetic testing shows that a patient has a higher chance to develop cancer, the patient has the opportunity to alert first-degree relatives (such as parents, children, siblings) to let them know about their potential to carry the same hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome.
- If I have breast cancer or colon cancer, could I pass this on to my children?
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If you are found to have a hereditary predisposition to develop breast cancer, each of your children will have a 50 percent chance of having it.
- Will I get billed for the DNA analysis testing?
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If your healthcare provider orders genetic testing as part of your care, it is billed like any other medical test.
Most patients pay $100 or less out of pocket for genetic testing. If you have a high deductible or do not have insurance, our genetic laboratory partners offer a self-pay option of $250. They also offer patient assistance programs.
You will be able to speak to the genetic laboratory directly to discuss any out-of-pocket costs.
- If DNA analysis testing indicates a potential future “pre-existing condition”, will it affect my chances of obtaining insurance in the future?
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A federal law called the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) makes it illegal for health insurance companies, group health plans, and most employers to discriminate against you based on your genetic information, but GINA does not apply to life insurance, long-term care insurance, or disability insurance. More information about GINA is available at http://www.genome.gov/.
There is also Florida law that prohibits your genetic information from being used to grant or deny certain insurances, employment, mortgage, loan, credit or educational opportunities. However, a diagnosis made from your DNA analysis test results may have an effect on your access to certain insurance or insurance rates. For example, a life insurance company may consider a medical diagnosis in your medical record, even if the diagnosis was based on the results of a DNA analysis. Please know that AdventHealth and your physician(s), as your health care provider, will not use your genetic information for any of these purposes. Laws against genetic discrimination may not apply to the military.
- If I have breast cancer, can my children be denied medical or insurance coverage?
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Your family is protected by the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA).
- Are you going to sell my DNA to other companies?
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No, we are not going sell your DNA to other companies.
Your DNA analysis test results and other health information about you may be used and shared with others as allowed by federal and state privacy laws for:
- Treatment you receive from healthcare providers.
- Payment to AdventHealth, your physician(s) and the laboratory by health plans or other payers for your treatment.
- Health care operations of AdventHealth, your physician(s) or the laboratory. For example, health care operations include reviewing what went well with your treatment and what needs to be improved, as well as creating de-identified information that may be used and shared with others as allowed by law.
Please review the AdventHealth Joint Notice of Privacy Practices for more details about how your health information may be used and shared with others and how you may request restrictions.
- How do you de-identify and use my de-identified DNA analysis test results?
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Your privacy is protected. Your name and other personal information is removed from your DNA test results before being used for research.
When many people choose to share this de-identified information, researchers can learn more about how certain genes may be linked to different health conditions. This research may help improve cancer screening, prevention and treatment for future patients.
- If I have further questions regarding the DNA Analysis testing, who may I speak with?
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Speak with your physician or genetic counselor who is performing your procedure or ordering the DNA analysis test. If you have additional questions about the clinical program, please contact our care navigator at Call407-440-1394.
