30 | OCTOBER 21 • 2021 

J

Screen, www.jscreen.org, a nation-
al public health initiative 
based out of Emory University 
School of Medicine’s Department of 
Human Genetics, adds yet anoth-
er way to save lives with the launch 
of its CancerGEN testing initiative. 
This new JScreen initiative offers 
at-home testing for more than 60 can-
cer susceptibility genes associated with 
hereditary risks for breast, ovarian, 
prostate, colorectal, skin and many other 
cancers. 
During the pandemic, we have 
all learned how critical it is to take 
healthcare into your own hands. 
With October Breast Cancer 
Awareness Month and Prostate and 
Ovarian Cancer Awareness months in 
the fall, and the staggering statistics 
showing that half of all men and a third 
of all women will develop cancer during 

their lifetime, JScreen understands the 
importance of giving people a heads up 
if they have a hereditary risk for cancer. 
“Making cancer genetic testing acces-
sible is key,” said Jane Lowe Meisel, 
M.D., associate professor of hematol-
ogy and medical oncology at Emory 
University School of Medicine, and 
medical director for JScreen’s can-
cer program. “This type of testing is 
important because it alerts people to 
their risks before they get cancer. They 
can then take action to help prevent 
cancer altogether or to detect it at an 
early, treatable stage.”
In the U.S., Ashkenazi Jews are at a 
higher risk of breast cancer due to the 
high prevalence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 
(BRCA1/2) inherited gene mutations. 
These mutations are linked to breast 
cancer and ovarian cancer in women, 
breast cancer and prostate cancer in 

men, melanoma and pancreatic cancer.
Getting tested through 
 JScreen is easy. To receive your sim-
ple at-home test, sign up online, pro-
vide a saliva sample and use pre-paid 
postage to mail it in. JScreen’s tests use 
state-of-the-art genetic sequencing tech-
nology to ensure highly accurate results. 
JScreen provides risk information in three 
weeks or less. Importantly, licensed genet-
ic counselors provide consults via phone 
or secure video conferencing to ensure 
that people understand their results. 
One of JScreen’s goals is to make
testing affordable. CancerGEN is $199. 
JScreen.org also offers need-based finan-
cial assistance. 
“Knowledge is power. With an 
understanding and awareness of their 
cancer risks and available options, 
individuals can work with their health-
care providers on next steps,” said 
Karen Arnovitz Grinzaid, MS, CGC, 
assistant professor of human genet-
ics at Emory University School of 
Medicine, and JScreen’s executive direc-
tor. “Launching our new cancer program 
and providing convenient and affordable 
access to cancer genetic testing across the 
U.S. will help save lives.” 

JScreen.org 
Offers Mail-in 
Self-test Genetic 
Cancer Screening 

JN STAFF

WOMEN’S HEALTH

