A woman gives her daughter a piggy back ride.

Your Roadmap to Whole Health

Your genes determine your eye color, hair color, height and much more. They also contain clues about your health. Unlock the mysteries of your genes with DNA testing and gain insight into your risk of developing chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes and more.

Genetic screening gives you and your provider important information about your health so you can take steps to lower your risk before a condition appears. And, if you are diagnosed with a chronic disease, your medical team will have valuable information to create a treatment plan that’s personalized to you — to your body, your genes, your DNA.

Our genomics team offers:

Breast cancer genetic testing (BRCA gene)
DNA medical tests
Genetic testing for cancer
Genetic testing for cardiovascular disease
Genetic testing for pregnancy
Paternity tests

With Genomics, your doctor can truly personalize your health care as well as help prevent, diagnose and treat serious health risks.

What if doctors could uncover your risk for disease and help you prevent it? Or determine whether a therapy or dose of medicine will be effective for your specific health needs? What if your health care plan was based on a sample size of 1 – just you?

With genomic profiles, physicians and researchers can determine with unprecedented accuracy if someone is at risk for cancer, heart disease and other conditions. From disease prevention to diagnosis to treatment, genomics is the future of medicine and will be an essential component of all health care.

In 2019, we began laying the foundation for our comprehensive program — AdventHealth Genomics and Personalized Health — which provides comprehensive genomics testing, analysis, interpretation and genetic counseling services. We believe personalized medicine that focuses on the whole person is superior health care and nothing is more personal than your DNA.

At AdventHealth, we believe knowledge is power.

Genetic testing offers a clear window into your health — from a disease you know you have to conditions that may not yet be diagnosed. Discover what insights DNA testing can uncover and take the first step toward improved health.

Breast Cancer Genetic Testing (BRCA Gene): Breast cancer genetic testing checks for the presence of the BRCA1 or BRCA2, sometimes called the breast cancer gene. These are mutations to genes that suggest you may be at higher risk for developing breast cancer or ovarian cancer.

The BRCA gene test is a blood test offered to individuals at risk of having the inherited mutation, based on family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer. You may be a good candidate for BRCA gene screening if you have a personal history of:

Breast cancer diagnosis and Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish ancestry

Breast cancer diagnosed before age 45

Breast cancer diagnosed before age 50 and a secondary breast cancer

Male breast cancer

Ovarian cancer

Pancreatic or prostate cancer AND two or more relatives with BRCA-associated cancers

Triple-negative breast cancer diagnosed before age 60

Two or more cancers

Your family history can also indicate your risk of having the BRCA gene mutation. Talk to your doctor about breast cancer genetic testing if your family history includes:

Breast cancer diagnosed in one or more relatives before age 50 OR two or more relatives at any age

Known breast cancer gene in a relative

Male breast cancer diagnosed in one or more relatives

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in one or more relatives

Pancreatic cancer diagnosed in two or more relatives

Prostate cancer diagnosed in two or more relatives
Genetic Testing for Cancer: Our clinic sees adult patients with any personal or family history of any cancer type, including counseling services. This may involve family history, genetic testing and evaluation, counseling about how to manage your risk and testing for genetic relatives of those with a positive result.
Genetic Testing for Cardiovascular Conditions: Our clinic sees adult and pediatric patients suspected or known to have inheritable cardiovascular conditions, including cardiomyopathy, amyloidosis, arrhythmias, familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), aortopathies and pulmonary hypertension. Our nurse navigator team can assist with specialty referrals along with connecting patients with genetic counselors, medical genetic specialists. Our program's comprehensive approach includes:
Evaluation of family history
Genetic testing and evaluation
Counseling about how to manage your risk
Testing for genetic testing of relatives if a positive result is found
Our Center of Excellence for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) care program allows for genetic testing of patients and the relatives of patients with a positive genetic marker.
Genetic Testing During Pregnancy: Genetic screenings offer parents-to-be detailed information about the health of their baby. Genetic testing in pregnancy can screen for medical conditions or genetic diseases.

Additionally, DNA tests before pregnancy can identify if you or your partner are carriers for a genetic disorder. Talk to your doctor to determine if you need genetic testing before or during pregnancy.

Genetic Carrier Screening

A blood or saliva test, taken before you’re pregnant, can identify the risk of you and your partner passing on a genetic disorder. Current DNA medical tests look for many conditions, including cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, spinal muscular atrophy and others.

Your obstetrician can discuss whether you’re a candidate for genetic testing in pregnancy. Be sure to talk to your provider about any questions or concerns you have.
Paternity Tests: A paternity test can give you peace of mind when it comes to your child’s paternity. There are many different reasons you may need a DNA paternity test, including to:

Confirm your right, or your child’s right, to legal or social benefits, like social security or inheritance

Gain a clear picture of your, or your child’s, family medical history

Meet legal requirements in many states for Acknowledgement of Paternity (AOP)

Strengthen family bonds

Talk to your obstetrician about the test that’s right for you.
Genome Sequencing for Newborns: AdventHealth for Children is the first and only children's hospital in Central Florida to provide rapid, whole-genome sequencing (an advanced diagnostic technology) that can quickly identify the causes of rare genetic disorders in some of the infants and children who are the most ill.

Through a partnership with Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine, we have access to a state-of-the-art genome sequencing lab that employs a multidisciplinary team of experts specializing in providing timely and accurate guidance to physicians caring for children with rare genetic disease. This partnership is the latest in AdventHealth's investment in genomics and will change the future of health care.