Polygenic Risk Assessment

Polygenic risk assessment evaluates thousands of common genetic variants across the genome to estimate inherited susceptibility to complex diseases.

Unlike single-gene testing, this approach reflects how many small genetic factors combine to influence risk for conditions such as:

• Cardiovascular disease

• Type 2 diabetes

• Certain cancers

How Polygenic Risk Is Used

When integrated with clinical and lifestyle factors, polygenic risk scores allow clinicians to:

• Refine screening timelines

• Personalize prevention strategies

• Identify risk earlier than traditional models alone

This approach provides a more nuanced understanding of disease risk—especially for common, multifactorial conditions.

Testing Options for Polygenic Risk Assessment

Polygenic risk assessment evaluates thousands of common genetic variants across the genome to estimate inherited susceptibility to complex, multifactorial conditions such as breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. Unlike single-gene testing, this approach reflects how many small genetic factors work together to influence disease risk.

At CMoC, polygenic risk assessment may be offered as a stand-alone analysis or as part of a more comprehensive genomic evaluation. Some testing options focus on specific conditions—such as cancer or cardiometabolic disease—while more advanced options integrate polygenic risk with broader genomic data to provide a more complete picture of inherited risk.

Your clinician will help determine the most appropriate testing approach based on your personal and family health histories and your prevention goals, ensuring results are actionable and meaningfully inform long-term screening and risk-reduction strategies.

Polygenic risk assessment estimates inherited susceptibility—it does not diagnose disease.