Genetic Risk Assessment Tool (Free, 2025)

Our Genetic Risk Assessment Tool helps you quickly spot patterns in your personal and family history that may benefit from a conversation with a clinician or genetic counselor. The tool is free, runs entirely in your browser, and gives instant results—no login, no data upload. Think of it as a practical first step to understand if genetic counseling or further evaluation could be helpful for you or your family.

Important: This is an educational screener, not a diagnostic test and not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Why use a Genetic Risk Assessment Tool?

Many health conditions have a hereditary component, from certain cancers (e.g., breast, ovarian, colorectal) to familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), hemoglobin disorders (e.g., sickle cell disease, thalassemia), and inherited arrhythmia/cardiomyopathy syndromes. A structured screener can make it easier to identify patterns—such as early-onset cancers, multiple primary cancers, clusters of related cancers across generations, or very high LDL cholesterol—that might warrant genetic counseling or further evaluation. Public-health organizations note that genetic testing looks for inherited genetic changes that may increase risk for disease and that genetic counseling helps you understand options and implications. CDC+2CDC+2

What the Genetic Risk Assessment Tool checks

Our Genetic Risk Assessment Tool screens for red flags commonly used to prompt a genetics discussion:

Personal history signals such as early-onset cancers, multiple primary cancers, a lifetime count of colorectal polyps suggesting polyposis, LDL ≥ 190 mg/dL (potential FH), unexplained arrhythmias/syncope, certain neuromuscular conditions, congenital hearing loss, or recurrent pregnancy loss. External guidance and fact sheets explain how these clues can indicate inherited risk and when to consider genetic counseling. Cancer.gov CDC
Family history patterns, including known pathogenic variants in the family (e.g., BRCA1/2, Lynch), clusters of related cancers across generations, early heart disease in relatives, hemoglobinopathies, cystic fibrosis (CF), and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Professional resources outline when such family histories warrant testing or counseling. Cancer.gov ACOG+1
Pre-pregnancy considerations, highlighting that many organizations now offer carrier screening for CF, SMA and hemoglobinopathies to all people who are pregnant or planning pregnancy; expanded carrier screening is available as an option. ACOG

The tool provides a Low, Moderate, or High risk flag to guide your next steps. It does not diagnose disease or provide absolute risk percentages.

How to use the Genetic Risk Assessment Tool (3 quick steps)

Enter basics: age and sex assigned at birth (to detect early-onset patterns and sex-specific risks).
Check applicable items: personal history and family history features.
Read your flag: you’ll see a Low/Moderate/High non-diagnostic flag and plain-language suggestions (e.g., “consider genetic counseling” or “ask about carrier screening if planning pregnancy”).

Because everything runs client-side, your entries are not saved or transmitted. If you want a record, export a CSV or print to PDF.

What your result means (and what it doesn’t)

Low flag: No strong hereditary red flags detected by our screener. Keep up with routine, age-appropriate health screening and revisit as family history changes.
Moderate flag: Some patterns suggest a conversation with a clinician/genetic counselor could be beneficial.
High flag: Multiple or strong indicators were selected (e.g., known familial variant, cancer clusters, early-onset cancer, ≥10 colorectal polyps, very high LDL). Share this summary with a clinician and discuss genetic counseling and next steps. Authoritative sources emphasize that counseling clarifies what testing can and cannot tell you, and how results may affect you and your relatives. CDC

Reminder: The Genetic Risk Assessment Tool is not a medical device, is not diagnostic, and cannot replace professional advice.

When to consider genetic counseling or testing

Authoritative resources suggest discussing genetics when you or close relatives have:

Cancer at a young age (e.g., breast, ovarian, colorectal, endometrial, pancreatic, prostate, melanoma).
Multiple primary cancers in the same person.
Several relatives with related cancers across generations (e.g., breast/ovarian; colorectal/endometrial).
≥10 colorectal polyps over a lifetime (polyposis patterns).
Very high LDL cholesterol (≥190 mg/dL) or early coronary disease suggesting familial hypercholesterolemia. CDC
Known pathogenic variant in the family (e.g., BRCA1/2, Lynch genes).
Inherited hemoglobin disorders in the family (sickle cell disease/trait, thalassemia).
Planning a pregnancy and considering carrier screening (CF, SMA, hemoglobinopathies, and optionally expanded panels). ACOG+1

For cancer specifically, national cancer agencies provide readable “who should consider testing” guidance and explain differences between inherited (germline) testing and tumor (somatic) testing. Cancer.gov+1

How the Genetic Risk Assessment Tool supports global users

Genetics is a global discipline. Public-health bodies highlight that genomics can help prevent and manage disease worldwide while raising important equity and access questions. Our Genetic Risk Assessment Tool focuses on privacy, clarity, and equity—it’s free, instant, and designed for accessibility, making it easier for anyone to start an informed conversation with a healthcare professional regardless of geography. World Health Organization

Internal resources to continue your health check

Because genetics rarely exists in isolation, we recommend pairing your Genetic Risk Assessment Tool result with other trusted tools on My Medicine Advisor:

Prescription Checker – understand prescriptions better
Symptom Checker – structure your symptom notes
Cancer Risk Estimator – general lifestyle/family risk inputs
Kidney Health Checker – renal health basics
Blood Pressure Tracker – track BP for cardiovascular risk profile
Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool – metabolic risk context
Fever Tracker & Temperature Log – shareable logs for clinicians
Asthma Control Test – respiratory status check
BMR Calculator and BMI Calculator – weight status context
Skin Type Analyzer – dermatology context (helpful when hereditary skin findings are discussed)

These internal links deepen topical coverage and help visitors find the next step they need.

External references (authoritative)

If your flag is Moderate or High, reading these resources can help you prepare for a clinical conversation:

CDC – Genetic testing overview and counseling information. CDC+2CDC+2
National Cancer Institute (NCI) – Genetic testing for inherited cancer risk; how results are used. Cancer.gov
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) – Carrier screening options (CF, SMA, hemoglobinopathies; targeted vs expanded). ACOG+1
CDC/NHLBI – Familial hypercholesterolemia basics and why early treatment matters. CDC
WHO – Genomics and public health overview. World Health Organization

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the Genetic Risk Assessment Tool a medical test?

No. It’s a non-diagnostic screener. It can help you decide whether to seek genetic counseling or a clinical evaluation. For medical decisions, talk to a licensed clinician. Authoritative sources emphasize counseling before and after any genetic test. CDC

How is this different from a direct-to-consumer DNA test?

DTC kits often estimate ancestry or polygenic traits and may not comprehensively assess inherited disease risk. Clinical genetic testing is used to look for pathogenic variants associated with disease and is best interpreted with a clinician or counselor. National cancer agencies outline key differences and limitations. Cancer.gov

Does a “High” flag mean I have a disease?

No. It simply indicates that your answers include patterns commonly used to prompt counseling/testing, such as early-onset cancer, multiple primaries, known familial variants, or very high LDL. A clinician can determine whether clinical testing is appropriate for you. Cancer.gov CDC

What if I’m planning a pregnancy?

Many organizations offer carrier screening for CF, SMA, and hemoglobinopathies to people who are pregnant or planning pregnancy. Expanded carrier screening is also an option you can discuss with your clinician. ACOG

How common are inherited cancer syndromes?

Only a portion of all cancers are due to inherited variants (often estimated around 5–10%). That’s why pattern recognition and family history matter, but negative history doesn’t entirely rule out inherited risk. Cancer.gov

Will my data be stored?

No. The Genetic Risk Assessment Tool runs fully in your browser. Nothing is uploaded to our servers.

What should I bring to a genetic counseling appointment?

A consolidated family health history (which relatives had which conditions and at what ages), your personal medical summary, and—if available—test reports or pathology summaries of affected relatives. Counselors use this to tailor the discussion. CDC

If my relative has a known pathogenic variant, should I be tested?

Often, targeted testing for that specific familial variant is considered. A genetic counselor or clinician will confirm the right approach. National resources explain “cascade testing” within families. Cancer.gov

Does ancestry affect what I should be screened for?

Some conditions are more prevalent in certain populations (e.g., hemoglobinopathies; some founder variants), but anyone can carry a variant. That’s why many carriers are identified outside classic “high-risk” groups, and universal CF/SMA offering is common. ACOG

Can tumor genomic testing replace inherited risk testing?

No. Tumor (somatic) testing informs treatment and sometimes hints at inherited risk, but it does not replace dedicated germline testing for inherited risk. Cancer.gov

How to act on your results (next practical steps)

Save/print your summary and bring it to your next appointment.
Update your family history as you learn more (e.g., new diagnoses in relatives).
If you received a Moderate or High flag, consider contacting your primary-care clinician or a genetic counselor to discuss whether clinical testing is appropriate. Counseling helps you understand benefits, limitations, and implications for relatives. CDC
If you’re planning a pregnancy, ask about carrier screening (CF, SMA, hemoglobinopathies; targeted or expanded). ACOG

Editorial policy & disclaimer

The Genetic Risk Assessment Tool and this page are for education only and do not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek advice from a qualified health professional with any questions regarding a medical condition. We link to reputable sources for further reading and regularly review the page to keep it aligned with current guidance. (If you spot a broken link or have feedback, contact us.)