The Healthy Nevada Project is offering free genetic testing in the region to help individuals make informed decisions about their health care, according to a May 7 announcement. The project, launched in 2016 by Renown Health and the Desert Research Institute, aims to collect data that will serve as a roadmap for understanding health determinants. More than 65,000 participants have enrolled so far, with additional opportunities available for others who wish to join.
The initiative is significant because it allows early detection of certain hereditary conditions and helps people take preventive action before diseases develop. Catherine McCarthy, M.D., professor of family and community medicine at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), said, “It is important to note this shows risk and not certainty.” She added that genetic test results can identify an increased risk of cancer even if someone was previously unaware they were at risk. “This provides an earlier preventive strategy that affects the family.”
The Healthy Nevada Project focuses on early detection of CDC Tier 1 conditions such as hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (including cancers like prostate, pancreas, male breast and melanoma), Lynch syndrome (indicating risks for colon, uterus, pancreas, prostate, ovary or kidney cancers), and familial hypercholesterolemia (risking high cholesterol or early heart disease). Testing is available free for anyone aged 18 or older. McCarthy said: “It is always heartbreaking to get positive genetic screening results after a cancer is diagnosed, knowing that it might have been prevented or detected much sooner. Knowing risk enables proactive health care, increased screenings, surveillance and prevention.”
After enrolling in the program online or through a provider at healthynv.org participants receive their results by phone call and through MyChart—a secure application where patients access their electronic medical records. If necessary based on results received from testing patients may be referred to licensed genetic counselors who explain risks further while preparing personalized prevention plans.
McCarthy said: “Our program is about universal screening not just family history so our research has published the importance of screening all comers not just identifying those at risk.” Cascade screening—testing other family members—is also available when someone receives a positive result indicating higher risk for cancer or heart disease helping families understand possible future medical issues together.
Medical students at UNR Med are trained from their first year in genomic medicine using patient genetics as part of clinical care strategies including work with uninsured communities via student-led clinics across northern Nevada. McCarthy said: “I tell my students and residents that genetic testing is another piece of the clinical puzzle to integrate into a preventive strategy.” She concluded: “Personalized medicine is becoming part of routine clinical care… Instead they intervene early leading to better health outcomes,” adding “Genetic testing helps personalize preventive care… That is the direction we are headed in with medicine.”