Updated online tool assesses risk of cancer, heart disease using family data

Jan. 18, 2023
Free Family Health Risk Calculator.

An upgrade of an online tool developed by genetic experts and data scientists at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center can fully assess an individual’s hereditary risk for cancer or heart disease using personal and family health history. 

The free Family Health Risk Calculator uses a combination of algorithms linked to the latest evidence-based hereditary and genetics guidelines to determine the risk to having a hereditary predisposition to cancer or heart disease. At least 10% of all cancers are based on hereditary risk, and the field of cardiovascular genetics has been rapidly advancing, said Kevin Sweet, a licensed genetic counselor and professor of clinical internal medicine at Ohio State’s College of Medicine.

The calculator determines if individuals have an average or elevated risk to having a hereditary predisposition to cancer or heart disease. 

The cancer assessment asks about incidences of common and rare cancers and sub-types, including brain and spine, breast, colorectal, prostate, pancreas, leukemia, lymphoma and lung. 

The Ohio State University release

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