Prevention and tests for gynecological cancers

What are gynecological cancers?

Gynecological cancers are malignant diseases that affect the female reproductive system. Each year, about 4 million women worldwide are diagnosed with a gynecological cancer, and approximately one-third of them die from this condition. The main types of gynecological cancers are: ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, vulvar cancer, and vaginal cancer.

What can be done?

Prevention

Maintaining a proper diet, an active and dynamic lifestyle, and avoiding smoking. Having regular gynecological check-ups and evaluating the state of your vaginal microbiome—i.e., the collection of microorganisms that live in symbiosis in the vagina, involved in maintaining vaginal health—since any alteration can lead to various gynecological conditions.

Discover our Vaginal Microbiota Analysis

€170 VAT EXEMPT (can be performed through self-sampling; kit provided by our facility)

Vaccination

Vaccination at a young age (from 11 years old) ensures protection against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is considered responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer and a growing proportion of other rarer cancers. However, molecular analysis of HPV with typing not only allows for the early identification of high-risk strains, which are responsible for the development of cervical cancer (e.g., 16 and 18), but also enables the person to be included in the vaccination protocol, which can be performed for therapeutic purposes on both women and men in adulthood. To date, anti-HPV vaccines target 9 high-risk HPV types and reduce 90% of cancerous forms.

Molecular and genetic analysis

Mutations in the genes of our DNA are the basis for the development of a significant portion of gynecological cancers, particularly those affecting the ovary, breast, and endometrium. The main genes involved in hereditary ovarian and breast cancer are the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Variations in the sequences (point mutations, deletions, and insertions) of these genes can increase the risk of developing a neoplasm by over 40% in the case of ovarian cancer and between 60% and 80% in the case of breast cancer. In addition to the BRCA genes, other genes may also be involved in predisposing individuals to gynecological cancers, such as MSH2 and MLH1, PTEN, STK11, and Tp53. Discover our tests:

Ovarian and Breast Cancer Panel €380 (VAT Exempt)

(NGS on BRCA1, BRCA2 genes + MLPA for the detection of deletions/insertions)

Extended Germline Panel for Women €750 (VAT Exempt)

(ALK – APC – ATM – AXIN2 – BAP1 – BARD1 – BLM – BMPR1A – BRCA1 – BRCA2 – BRIP1 – CDC73 – CDH1 – CDK12 – CDK4 – CDKN1B CDKN2A – CHEK2 – EPCAM – EXT1 – EXT2 – FANCG – FH – FLCN – GALNT12 – KIT – MAX – MEN1 – MET – MLH1 – MLH3 – MRE11A MSH2 – MSH3 – MSH6 – MUTYH – NBN – NF1 – NF2 – NTHL1 – NTRK1 – PALB2 – PDGFRA – PHOX2B – PMS1 – PMS2 – POLD1 POLE – PRSS1 – PTCH1 – PTCH2 – PTEN – RAD50 – RAD51C – RAD51D – RB1 – RET – SDHA – SDHAF2 – SDHB – SDHC – SDHD SMAD4 – SMARCA4 – SPINK1 – STK11 – SUFU – TMEM127 – TP53 – TSC1 – TSC2 – VHL – WT1 – XPC)

If requested, the pre- and post-test genetic counseling associated with the test is priced at €100 VAT Exempt.

Cervical cancer is a tumor of the female reproductive system that affects the outermost part of the uterus (also called the cervix). The cancer is caused by an infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted through sexual contact. The genetic test, when performed periodically, allows for the detection of 19 high-risk HPV types and 9 low-risk HPV types with high sensitivity.

Discover our Papilloma (HPV) screening test + typing

€60 VAT EXEMPT (an external swab for sample collection is provided).