Medical Disclaimer
Everything published on PROMPT Study is educational and general in nature. It explains how hereditary cancer genetics and multi-gene panel testing work — it is not medical advice, and it cannot replace a conversation with a qualified clinician or certified genetic counselor about your own situation.
Educational reference, not a clinical recommendation
PROMPT Study exists to help patients, families, students, and clinicians understand the science behind hereditary cancer risk: how DNA is collected and sequenced, what a multi-gene panel actually measures, how variants are classified, and why longitudinal registries matter. We describe mechanisms and general principles drawn from the published genetics and oncology literature.
That general information is deliberately not tailored to any individual. We do not know your personal or family history, your prior test results, your symptoms, or your goals — all of which materially change what testing (if any) is appropriate and how a result should be interpreted. Reading an explainer here is a starting point for an informed conversation, never a substitute for one. No content on this site establishes a clinician-patient relationship, and nothing here should be acted on as a diagnosis, treatment plan, or instruction to pursue or forgo any test or procedure.
How to use this site responsibly
Genetic information is powerful precisely because it is personal. Keep these principles in mind as you read.
Treat it as background, not a decision
Use our guides to understand terminology and the general process before an appointment — so you can ask sharper questions — rather than to reach a conclusion about your own risk or care.
Bring questions to a qualified professional
Decisions about whether to pursue genetic testing, which panel to order, and how to interpret a result belong with a certified genetic counselor, medical geneticist, or your treating physician who knows your history.
Confirm anything that affects a real decision
Guidelines, variant classifications, and clinical recommendations evolve as evidence accumulates. We strive for accuracy, but verify time-sensitive or decision-critical details with a current clinical source before acting.
Seek urgent care urgently
This site does not handle emergencies. If you have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department. Do not delay care to consult educational material.
Frequently asked questions
Does this site give personal medical or genetic advice?
No. All content is general and educational. We explain how hereditary cancer genetics and panel testing work in principle; we cannot and do not advise any individual on whether to test, which test to choose, or what a result means for them. Those judgments require a qualified clinician who knows your personal and family history.
Can I rely on this content to decide whether to get genetic testing?
Please don't decide on its own. Use it to understand the options and prepare questions, then make the decision together with a certified genetic counselor or physician. They can weigh your specific history, the limitations and benefits of testing, and the implications of possible results in a way that general information never can.
Is the information here current and complete?
We work to keep our explainers accurate and grounded in the published literature, but genetics is a fast-moving field. Guidelines change, variants get reclassified, and new evidence emerges. Content may not reflect the very latest developments, and no single resource covers every clinical nuance. Confirm decision-critical details with an up-to-date clinical source.
Does reading this site create a clinician-patient relationship?
No. Using PROMPT Study, contacting us, or submitting a question does not create any clinician-patient or counselor-patient relationship, and we do not provide diagnosis, treatment, or individualized clinical guidance through this site.
Where should I turn for advice about my own situation?
A board-certified or licensed clinician — a medical geneticist, a certified genetic counselor, or your treating physician — is the right person to discuss personal decisions about genetic testing and hereditary cancer risk. Many cancer centers and counseling services can connect you with one.
Have a general question about the genetics we cover?
We're happy to point you toward credible educational background on hereditary cancer genetics and panel testing. For anything that touches your personal care, please consult a qualified clinician or certified genetic counselor.