Scientists at 23andMe, with support from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, have researched Parkinson&#8217;s disease and uncovered new insights into the natural history of the <a href="https://academic.oup.com/brain/advance-article/doi/10.1093/brain/awae073/7676517">LRRK2 G2019S variant</a>. The findings, tracing back thousands of years, vividly illustrate how our DNA combines history, ancestry, and health. They remind us how important knowing one is for understanding the other.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-genetic-ancestry-relates-to-health">Your Genetic Ancestry Relates to Health</h2>



While some of us use 23andMe to learn more about our health and others to learn about our ancestry, your DNA isn&#8217;t just about one thing or the other. Your DNA intricately weaves together not just your health and ancestry but much more, connecting you to the long thread of human history and offering insight into the origin of diseases like Parkinson&#8217;s.&nbsp;



The history of the LRRK2 G2019S variant and its geographical distribution in disparate communities are telling.



“The fact that the LRRK2 G2019S variant is found in North African Arabs, Ashkenazi Jews, Sephardic Jews, and populations in Latin America and the Caribbean tells a story of our shared genetic roots,” said Lucy Norcliffe-Kaufmann, Ph.D., Principal Scientist with 23andMe’s Parkinson’s Disease Research program.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-founder-mutation">The Founder Mutation</h2>



Studying specific genes, like LRRK2, can teach us much. The LRRK2 variant—also known as the LRRK2 G2019S founder mutation—is strongly associated with a particular form of Parkinson&#8217;s disease, which we&#8217;ll briefly detail.&nbsp;



First, let&#8217;s explain a founder mutation. A founder mutation refers to genetic variants arising from a population&#8217;s loss of genetic variation. This happens when a distinctive population emerges from a small number of people isolated by geography or culture for a considerable time.&nbsp;



The isolation of small populations can result in a higher-than-average frequency for specific genetic variants within that population.&nbsp;



For example, over generations, the geographic isolation of Finnish people led to a founder mutation that puts them at a higher risk for a kidney condition known as <a href="https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/1500/congenital-nephrotic-syndrome-finnish-type">congenital nephrotic syndrome</a>. The isolation of French Canadians in Quebec offers another example. That isolation led to a founder mutation in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes that puts them at higher risk for breast and ovarian cancer.&nbsp;



Some of the most well-known founder mutations are among people with Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. Isolated over time by culture, religion, and, in some cases, geography led to higher incidences of specific genetic variants within Ashkenazi populations. These genetic variants put them at higher genetic risk for breast and ovarian cancer.&nbsp;



But people of Ashkenazi ancestry are also more likely to have the LRRK2 G2019S founder mutation that puts them at more risk for a specific type of Parkinson&#8217;s disease.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lrrk2-associated-parkinson-s">LRRK2-Associated Parkinson&#8217;s</h2>



Looking specifically at LRRK2 G2019S, the variant doesn&#8217;t just convey an increased risk for Parkinson&#8217;s. People who develop the disease who have the variant also have different types of symptoms than others with Parkinson&#8217;s but who do not have the LRRK2 variant.&nbsp;



23andMe researchers <a href="https://academic.oup.com/brain/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/brain/awae073">recently published data in </a>Brain, that looks at some of those differences.&nbsp;



People with LRRK2-associated Parkinson&#8217;s disease tend to have a slower progression of the disease, with symptoms more related to motor dysfunction. People with this LRRK2 variant also have lower rates of <a href="https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/ask-md-acting-out-dreams-and-parkinsons-disease">REM sleep behavior disorder</a> or RBD, which is a common symptom of Parkinson&#8217;s, particularly in the early stages. RBD includes sleep interrupted by acting out dreams and is much more common in people with idiopathic Parkinson&#8217;s disease, or Parkinson&#8217;s, in which the cause is unknown. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-different-types-of-symptoms">Different Types of Symptoms</h2>



Loss of smell, another common symptom of Parkinson&#8217;s, is also less common in those with the LRRK2 variant. This is important because when we look for people with early Parkinson’s disease, we ask about loss of smell and RBD to determine whether there are early signs of neurodegeneration in the brain. We might be underestimating the risk of Parkinson’s disease in someone with the LRRK2 variant because they are less likely to have sleep and smell problems.&nbsp;



In addition, people with LRRK2-associated Parkinson&#8217;s have fewer cognitive issues and seem to be at a lower risk for developing dementia. This suggests that the LRRK2 variant leads to a slowly primarily progressive motor form of Parkinson’s disease, in which the neurodegenerative process appears to be restricted to areas of the brain that control movement. The data suggests that in LRRK2 Parkinson’s disease, the areas outside the motor control regions are spared from the neurodegenerative process, so we see fewer autonomic, cognitive, sleep, and smell issues in carriers that develop the disease.&nbsp;



The researchers point out that it’s unusual to see a dominant mutation like LRRK2 so prevalent across different communities, but that may be partly because of the later onset of LRRK2-associated Parkinson’s. Symptoms tend to show when people are in their 60s and well past reproductive years.



“This explains why the variant can be harbored in a community and flourish in subsequent generations, particularly in communities that remain isolated by persecution or geography,” Lucy said.&nbsp;



These differences beg many questions, but they also offer potential avenues of inquiry that could give researchers insights into how to treat different types of Parkinson&#8217;s disease better. The majority of Parkinson’s cases do not have a known cause, but in the case of LRRK2, because the association is known, knowing that you have the variant sooner can lead to earlier treatment and better outcomes.



To develop new therapies, scientists need to learn more about who is at risk, why, and the earliest signs of the disease.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-origins-of-lrrk2-variant">The Origins of LRRK2 Variant</h2>



Beyond that, tracing where and when the LRRK2 G2019S founder mutation originated offers other opportunities to find carriers in diverse populations and build community among those people.&nbsp;



Looking at the history of the LRRK2 founder mutation also offers insight into human migration and some of the people most impacted by it. One of the novel findings of this study is the identification of “hotspots” of people from Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Brazil who carry the LRRK2 G2019S mutation at higher rates. This is interesting because it explains the migratory history of the populations most affected by this mutation.



Scientists believe the LRRK2 founder mutation originated over 5000 years ago among the Berber people of North Africa in what is now Morocco. Rates of LRRK2 are higher within North African populations, but why are there also higher incidences of people with LRRK2 within people of Ashkenazi Ancestry?



Why is LRRK2 also found in higher frequency in North Africa and parts of Spain, Eastern Europe, Cuba, and Puerto Rico? That latter finding for a higher frequency of people in the Latin Caribbean community with higher rates of this variant is a new finding from this research by 23andMe, and it begs the question of why we see those higher rates.



The answer lies in the unique history of people of Jewish ancestry, shaped by trade routes around the Mediterranean and historical events like the Muslim Arab expansion, the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the colonization and migration into the Americas.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-lrrk2">Tracing LRRK2</h2>



Scientists believe the LRRK2 founder mutation originated in the Berber populations of North Africa and then passed through the Maghrebi into the Jewish communities that arrived there, having fled the Roman invasions of Jerusalem.



The Maghrebi were mostly traders connected to other Jewish communities by religion and trade routes that crisscrossed the Mediterranean. The Berbers and the new Jewish settlers lived side by side, and many Berbers converted to Judaism, which is likely how the LRRK2 G2019S variant moved from the Berbers to the North African Jews.&nbsp;



Some of those communities eventually migrated from North Africa to mainland Europe with the Arab invasions. Around 1,500 years ago, about eight percent of people living in Spain were of Jewish descent. Within a couple of hundred years, the Jewish population split, with the Ashkenazi group settling in Germany, France, and Eastern Europe and speaking Yiddish. Meanwhile, the Iberian-Arab Jews, later known as the Sephardic Jews, moved to and from North Africa to Spain and Portugal over the next hundreds of years.&nbsp;



While different significant historical events, such as Muslim Arab expansion and later the Crusades, influenced the movement of these people, we can already see that the LRRK2 G2019S variant was present in both the Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews. The Ashkenazi Jews went through what we call a genetic bottleneck, which reduced the population pool to a small number of founders, some of whom carried the G2019S variant. This is how the carrier rate amplified as the small surviving population recovered and expanded over subsequent generations.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="512" height="252" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/LRRK2-Hotspots.jpg" alt="Heat maps of different areas in Latin America, and the Caribbean where there are hotspots for LRRK2." class="wp-image-32943" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/LRRK2-Hotspots.jpg 512w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/LRRK2-Hotspots-300x148.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-new-world">The New World </h2>



By the time the Inquisitions arrived, many of what became the Sephardic Jewish community in Spain and Portugal were expelled or forced to convert to Catholicism. Their religion may have changed, but their genetics did not. Some forced converts fled to the Americas after 1492 as Spain conquered the New World. This is how the G2019S variant winds up in Latin America and Brazil.&nbsp;



Using data from 23andMe research participants who consented to participate in this research, 23andMe scientists plotted on a map where those with the LRRK2 variant trace their ancestry.&nbsp;



The maps note the fingerprints of that migration history with the highest concentrations for the mutation in people with genetic ancestry from North Africa, Eastern Europe, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and parts of South America.



“The fact that we see the LRRK2 G2019S variant signal in the Caribbean maps fits with the history of the Jewish Conquistadors who sailed with Columbus on his voyages to the New World,” said Lucy.&nbsp;



We also see strong signals in Brazil, one of the first South American countries to allow Jewish people to live and practice freely.&nbsp;



“(The finding) extends beyond the classic assumption that LRRK2 PD occurs in North African Berbers and the Ashkenazi Jews,” Lucy said. “It is an example of how mutations migrate and can spring up in new founding communities.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-23andme-s-ongoing-parkinson-s-research">23andMe&#8217;s Ongoing Parkinson&#8217;s Research</h2>



Understanding this history and the significance of a person&#8217;s ancestry related to the LRRK2 G2019S mutation and its link to a higher risk for Parkinson&#8217;s disease allows researchers to build awareness within these communities.&nbsp;



This, in turn, may help improve how we screen for the disease and how to build a broader community around this specific type of Parkinson&#8217;s disease.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="779" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mapping-LRRK2-Symptoms-to-Brain-1024x779.png" alt="Mapping of LRRK2 PD symptoms to areas of the brain." class="wp-image-32942" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mapping-LRRK2-Symptoms-to-Brain-1024x779.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mapping-LRRK2-Symptoms-to-Brain-300x228.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mapping-LRRK2-Symptoms-to-Brain-768x584.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mapping-LRRK2-Symptoms-to-Brain-880x670.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mapping-LRRK2-Symptoms-to-Brain-1180x898.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mapping-LRRK2-Symptoms-to-Brain.png 1899w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



The LRRK2 study, known as our Parkinson&#8217;s Impact Project, or PIP, has already produced tremendous insights into the disease. It helps scientists better understand the progression of Parkinson&#8217;s and how LRRK2 PD differs from idiopathic Parkinson&#8217;s, for which there is no known cause.&nbsp;



This study is just one of many aspects of 23andMe&#8217;s long-standing commitment to studying Parkinson&#8217;s, the second most common neurodegenerative condition behind Alzheimer&#8217;s disease.&nbsp;



23andMe researchers have studied the genetic underpinnings of Parkinson&#8217;s disease since 2009. More than 30,000 people with Parkinson&#8217;s have consented to participate in our research, and more than 196,000 people without Parkinson&#8217;s also participate in this specific research.&nbsp;



Those participants have helped 23andMe scientists and our collaborators complete work leading to more than 30 published papers, including 12 since 2020 alone. These studies have also identified almost 100 new genetic variants associated with Parkinson&#8217;s disease. It also allows 23andMe scientists and our collaborators to explore in much more detail the role these variants play in the progression of the disease.&nbsp;



The work on LRRK2 G2019S is part of that broader effort. The number of people with the LRRK2 mutation participating in 23andMe research is three times the size of the next largest LRRK2 research cohort. Some of those participating in 23andMe LRRK2 research have Parkinson&#8217;s, and others don&#8217;t.&nbsp;



As we learn more, we will share more about this study&#8217;s relevance to the disease progression and symptoms.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more">Learn More</h2>



None of this work would be possible without those individuals. Those who consented to participate in 23andMe&#8217;s research included people with and without Parkinson&#8217;s disease.



Learn more about <a href="https://www.23andme.com/pd/">23andMe&#8217;s Parkinson&#8217;s disease research here</a>. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-23andme-s-parkinson-s-disease-genetic-health-risk-report">The 23andMe&#8217;s Parkinson’s Disease Genetic Health Risk Report</h2>



You can learn whether you may have an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease based on your genetics through the 23andMe Parkinson’s Disease Genetic Health Risk report.*



The report looks at two specific genetic variants associated with Parkinson’s disease, one in the LRRK2 gene and one in the GBA gene. This report is included in the <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/">23andMe Health + Ancestry Service.</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-note">Note</h2>



*The 23andMe PGS test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks. It is not intended to diagnose any disease. Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. Each genetic health risk report describes if a person has variants associated with a higher risk of developing a disease, but does not describe a person’s overall risk of developing the disease. The test is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health, or to be used to make medical decisions, including whether or not you should take a medication, how much of a medication you should take, or determine any treatment. The Parkinson’s Disease genetic health risk report is indicated for reporting of the G2019S variant in the LRRK2 gene, and the N370S variant in the GBA gene and describes if a person has variants associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. The variants included in this report are most common and best studied in people of European, Ashkenazi Jewish, and North African Berber descent.

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

The Natural History of a Genetic Variant Associated with Parkinson’s Disease

May is Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In celebration, 23andMe is adding a new group of historical individuals to Historical Matches,SM our new 23andMe+ Premium membership feature that may genetically connect you to one or more of hundreds of historical people across the globe. 



This new historical group, called The Early Peoples of Remote Oceania, contains 10 new historical individuals who lived in Vanuatu—an archipelago in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean—during the last 2,500 years.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="432" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/filipino_edu1_2x-1024x432.png" alt="A map of migration patterns for early people of Oceania." class="wp-image-32946" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/filipino_edu1_2x-1024x432.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/filipino_edu1_2x-300x127.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/filipino_edu1_2x-768x324.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/filipino_edu1_2x-880x371.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/filipino_edu1_2x-1180x498.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/filipino_edu1_2x.png 1660w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-first-people-of-remote-oceania"> The First People of Remote Oceania</h2>



The first people to settle in Remote Oceania—a region including Vanuatu, Tonga, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Guam, and Hawai’i—started arriving around 3,000 years ago. 



These first settlers belonged to an ancient group known as the ancient Austronesians. The ancient Austronesians were originally from the island now known as Taiwan and were skilled long-distance seafarers and farmers. Between 3,500 BCE and 1,250 CE, they migrated across vast distances, spreading their language and farming technology to regions as far-flung as Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in the Pacific and Madagascar off the eastern coast of Africa. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="432" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/filipino_edu3_2x-1024x432.png" alt="" class="wp-image-32947" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/filipino_edu3_2x-1024x432.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/filipino_edu3_2x-300x127.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/filipino_edu3_2x-768x324.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/filipino_edu3_2x-880x371.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/filipino_edu3_2x-1180x498.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/filipino_edu3_2x.png 1660w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Ancient Austronesians had ancestry similar to present-day East Asian populations. However, present-day Indigenous peoples from Remote Oceania have mixed ancestry, inherited from Austronesian and Melanesian ancestors. Determining when these two groups were first mixed has been a significant <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29501328/">focus of anthropologists and geneticists</a>, and ancient DNA data has played a critical role in answering this question. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="512" height="216" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Melanesian-Austronesian.png" alt="" class="wp-image-32951" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Melanesian-Austronesian.png 512w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Melanesian-Austronesian-300x127.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more">Learn More</h2>



Discover more about The Early Peoples of Remote Oceania through 23andMe’s Historical Matches feature, available to all <a href="https://you.23andme.com/p/394a5612ffeef442/historical-matches/">23andMe+ Premium members.</a> 



Learn more about <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/">all that 23andMe offers here</a>.

A map of migration patterns for early people of Oceania.

Do You Know About the Earliest Inhabitants of Remote Oceania?

Summer is almost here, and along with all the sun and fun, it&#8217;s important to remember how best to protect your skin.&nbsp;



So, for Skin Cancer Awareness Month, we&#8217;re offering some helpful information and suggestions because skin cancer is the <a href="https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2024/2024-cancer-facts-and-figures-acs.pdf">most common</a> form of cancer; it&#8217;s also one of the most preventable.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-skin-cancer-in-the-united-states">Skin Cancer in the United States</h2>



In the U.S. alone, an estimated 3.3 million people are diagnosed with basal cell or squamous cell cancers each year, according to the <a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/basal-and-squamous-cell-skin-cancer/about/key-statistics.html">American Cancer Society.</a> Melanoma makes up a small percentage of all skin cancers. Still, it is the most lethal, contributing to the vast majority of skin cancer-related deaths. These are three of the most common types of skin cancer.



Understanding your likelihood of developing one of these types of cancer and learning about what to look for goes a long way toward preventing them from developing. Sun exposure, either because you live in a sunnier climate or you spend a lot of time outdoors, plays a role.&nbsp;



We looked at where in the United States 23andMe customers who consented to participate in our research reported having been diagnosed with basal or squamous cell carcinomas.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="561" height="370" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Percent-of-Customers-with-Either-BCC-or-SCC.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-32916" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Percent-of-Customers-with-Either-BCC-or-SCC.jpg 561w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Percent-of-Customers-with-Either-BCC-or-SCC-300x198.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 561px) 100vw, 561px" /></figure>



We do not have enough data to generate results for every state, but for the states we do have data, we see a higher prevalence of basal cell and squamous cancers in sunnier states. For instance, the highest prevalence is in Florida, Arizona, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, and New Mexico. However, we also see a high prevalence in Delaware, which may be related to the age of the population there. The prevalence for both cancers increases with age, and Delaware has an aging population. We have not adjusted our data for age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetics-and-skin-cancer">Genetics and Skin Cancer</h2>



The likelihood of developing skin cancer is influenced not just by geography and sun exposure but also by a person&#8217;s ethnicity, lifestyle, and genetics. Skin cancer can develop in people of all ethnicities, but people of European descent with lighter skin tones have a much higher risk.&nbsp;



The lifetime risk for melanoma is about two percent for people of European descent but only about 0.1 percent among those of African descent. It&#8217;s a little more than half a percent for people of Latino or Hispanic descent.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="538" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/protect-all-the-skin-sun-protection-1200x630-1-1024x538.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-32917" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/protect-all-the-skin-sun-protection-1200x630-1-1024x538.webp 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/protect-all-the-skin-sun-protection-1200x630-1-300x158.webp 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/protect-all-the-skin-sun-protection-1200x630-1-768x403.webp 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/protect-all-the-skin-sun-protection-1200x630-1-880x462.webp 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/protect-all-the-skin-sun-protection-1200x630-1-1180x620.webp 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/protect-all-the-skin-sun-protection-1200x630-1.webp 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



But people with darker skin are more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma at a later stage when it can be harder to treat. In addition, people with darker skin are much more likely to develop melanoma in parts of the body that get less sun, such as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, beneath the fingernails, or even inside the mouth.



<div style="float: right; text-align: justified; width: 300px; background-color: #eee; padding: 15px; margin-left: 10px;">
The ABCDEs of melanoma
 
A: Asymmetry. Does one half look different than the other?
 
B: Border. Does it have an irregular edge?
 
C: Color. Does it have multiple colors? 
 
D: Diameter. Is it longer than 6mm across or about the diameter of a pencil eraser? 
 
E: Evolving. Is it changing over time? 

</div>



That&#8217;s why both prevention and skin self-exam are so important. Experts recommend knowing the <a href="https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/find/at-risk/abcdes">ABCDEs of melanoma</a> (see sidebar) and performing a skin self-exam about once a month. It&#8217;s essential to monitor your skin and talk to a healthcare professional, like a dermatologist, if you notice any changes, including new or changed moles, bumps, or sores.



Early detection — often through self-exam and regular mole checks by a dermatologist — can also go a long way toward ensuring healthy outcomes. There&#8217;s another tool for assessing one&#8217;s risk, and that&#8217;s looking at your genetics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-23andme">23andMe+</h2>



As part of 23andMe+ Premium, members can access two reports to assess their genetic likelihood of developing one of these three common types of skin cancer.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="355" height="218" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/melanoma-story-1.ee0eb73ae029.svg" alt="" class="wp-image-29458"/></figure>



The service offers a Skin Cancer (Melanoma) report and a Skin Cancer (Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinomas) report. Both reports use polygenic risk scores (PRS) to assess a member&#8217;s likelihood of developing one of these cancers. These statistical models consider a person&#8217;s genetic ancestry and birth sex.&nbsp;



The reports also include some prevention tips. Some of these tips are obvious but also bear repeating. For instance, knowing that repeated sunburns substantially increase the risk is a reminder to use sunscreen and protect yourself from too much sun. However, research has also found that genetic factors and specific traits play a role.&nbsp;



Not long ago, using data from 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research, researchers from Indiana University found genetic variants associated with <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/new-genetic-research-on-skin-cancer/">squamous cell carcinomas</a>. A few years before, researchers at Stanford, also using 23andMe data, <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-study-on-genetics-of-common-type-of-skin-cancer">found genetic variants associated</a> with <a href="https://www.oncotarget.com/article/15230/">the risk of melanoma</a>. Most recently, a team of researchers in Australia, with the help of 23andMe data, found more than 70 genetic variants associated with melanoma and identified correlations between melanoma and <a href="https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(21)02513-6/fulltext#secsectitle0070">autoimmune diseases</a> such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="302" height="160" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/melanoma-story-4.d0a1c76c810e.svg" alt="" class="wp-image-29457"/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-you-can-do">What You Can Do</h2>



Being vigilant, especially for new moles or discolored skin, and protecting your skin from the sun can all help lower the likelihood of developing skin cancer.



A self-examination is a little more challenging for areas like the back, so having a partner, doctor, or a dermatologist take a look is a good idea.



Everyone should be aware of the risk of skin cancer, but some individuals have more risk than others. Individuals with lighter skin, many moles, who sunburn easily, or who have a family history of skin cancer should be particularly vigilant.&nbsp;



Wearing sun protection (like &#8220;broad spectrum&#8221; sunscreen and protective clothing) outdoors is essential—even when it’s cloudy. Avoiding tanning beds is also important.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more">More</h2>



23andMe&#8217;s skin cancer reports are available to all annual 23andMe+ Premium Membership subscribers.&nbsp; Premium members can view your report <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/prs.skin_cancer_melanoma/">here</a> and <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/prs.skin_cancer_bcc_scc/">here</a>.&nbsp;



Are you still waiting to be a23andMe+ Premium member?



Find out more <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership">here</a>.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-faq">FAQ</h2>



<div class="schema-faq"><div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1715726714056">What is melanoma? Melanoma is a common and serious form of skin cancer that can originate from moles. Early detection offers the best chance for treatment, so it&#8217;s essential to get familiar with your moles to notice changes that could signal that a mole is becoming cancerous. Only about two percent of skin cancers are melanoma, but this aggressive form of cancer is responsible for most skin cancer deaths. Melanomas are more likely than other skin cancers to be lethal because they can spread locally or metastasize to different parts of the body. While ultraviolet radiation from sun exposure and skin characteristics like moles, freckles, or light skin tones are key factors in the risk for melanoma, genetic factors also play a role. Again, this is why early detection is so important so that they can be treated before cancer can spread. </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1715726734989">What is basal cell carcinoma? Basal cell carcinoma is very common. This form of cancer begins in basal cells found in the skin&#8217;s outer layer. The most common cause of basal cell carcinoma is too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun. This can happen even on a cloudy day or through a glass window. In addition, UV light exposure from tanning beds and sun lamps increases the risk. Basal cell carcinoma also most often occurs in areas of the skin that are most exposed, such as the face, head, and neck, but it can happen anywhere. For people with darker skin, squamous and basal cell carcinomas often appear more like a dark brown or black bump that might be glossy and have a rolled border. The first sign is typically a bump, growth, or sore that doesn&#8217;t heal. Basal cell carcinoma is very treatable and tends to grow slowly. </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1715726753850">What is squamous cell carcinoma? Like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma often occurs due to too much exposure to UV light from the sun or other sources like tanning beds or sun lamps. Like basal cell carcinoma, it most often occurs in areas of the skin that are most exposed, but squamous cell carcinoma is more likely to happen on the scalp, the backs of hands, ears, and lips. However, as with basal cell carcinoma, it can develop in other areas. For example, among people with darker skin, squamous cell carcinoma commonly appears on the legs and other areas that typically get less sun exposure. For people with darker skin, squamous and basal cell carcinomas often seem more like a dark brown or black bump that might be glossy and have a rolled border. The first sign is typically a bump, growth, or sore that doesn&#8217;t heal. Squamous carcinoma is very treatable and tends to grow slowly. </div> </div>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>

Understand Your Genetics Likelihood of Developing Skin Cancer

Raising Awareness about Blood Clotting Risk for Women

It&#8217;d been 43 years since the last time Kim held her son.&nbsp;



In all those decades, she wondered what had happened after she&#8217;d given him up in a private adoption as a scared 15-year-old girl. Kim&#8217;s life turned out well: She married and has two wonderful daughters and grandkids, but the thought of her son and the questions never left her.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-good-person">A Good Person</h2>



Did he have a good life? Did his parents love him? Was he happy?



&#8220;You know, the only thing I could ever think about in my head was, &#8216;I just want him to be alive and be a good person,'&#8221; Kim said.



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="284" height="300" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Kimberly-Ramos-and-Jason-284x300.png" alt="Kim and her son Jason soon after meeting in person for the first time." class="wp-image-32850" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Kimberly-Ramos-and-Jason-284x300.png 284w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Kimberly-Ramos-and-Jason-768x813.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Kimberly-Ramos-and-Jason-968x1024.png 968w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Kimberly-Ramos-and-Jason-832x880.png 832w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Kimberly-Ramos-and-Jason.png 1066w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 284px) 100vw, 284px" /></figure>



With the help of 23andMe and her daughter Jenny, Kim could answer those questions. Most importantly, she was able to embrace her son, Jason, for the first time and see the wonderful father and person he&#8217;d become.&nbsp;



Their first in-person meeting was at a gas station near Des Moines, a random halfway point between where Kim had been in Minnesota and Jason in Missouri. Kim found a friendly cashier to record the moment on her cellphone, and you can hear the cashier’s sweet comments while she’s filming.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-long-embrace">A Long Embrace</h2>



In the video, you can see their minute-long embrace in the aisles between the chips and soda fountain and the emotion welling up in them. Kim cries and pulls back to look into Jason&#8217;s eyes and touch his cheeks as the two — mother and son — soak in the moment.



For Jason, it was the first time he had looked at someone besides his kids who looked like him. 



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Kim and Jason First Hug" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ERbWCvwZ-Ao?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



&#8220;That was like, &#8216;Wow,'&#8221; he said.



Their story was unexpected for both of them. Jason always knew he had been adopted, but he wasn&#8217;t looking for his biological parents. Raised in a loving Midwest home with four siblings, who also were adoptees, Jason didn&#8217;t feel the need to go searching. He had questions, but he wasn&#8217;t looking.&nbsp;



Then, in late 2022, his wife, Elizabeth, gave him a 23andMe kit for Christmas. The two, who met and fell in love in high school, have three children and one grandchild. Elizabeth survived a breast cancer battle starting in 2019, and now in their 40s, the couple wanted to know more about their health.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-for-health-information">Looking for Health Information</h2>



Jason, who had no family health history, thought it was vital for him and his children.



&#8220;If you grew up with a mom and dad and brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles and grandparents, you&#8217;d know if there was anything you should be aware of,&#8221; he said.



Jason used 23andMe to see if he had any genetic predispositions that would concern him or his three children and one grandson.



&#8220;So, the motivation was, &#8216; Let&#8217;s (learn more) for (the kids) sake,’&#8221; he said.



He did get some health information indicating a higher likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, but he&#8217;d also opted into DNA Relatives. Opening DNA Relatives, he saw someone matched as a predicted niece. He messaged her almost immediately, and he got a response.



&#8220;I&#8217;m not your niece. I&#8217;m your half-sister. Our mom&#8217;s name is Kimberly.&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-someone-searching-for-me">Someone Searching for Me</h2>



Kim&#8217;s daughter Jenny knew all about her mom giving up a son at 15. She was able to fill Jason in on his biological mom&#8217;s life.



&#8220;It was unbelievable, you know, because I wasn&#8217;t looking for one, and it happened so fast,&#8221; Jason said. &#8220;It was literally within a minute or two that she responded, which blew my mind.&#8221;



The two quickly connected on the phone and talked. Jenny was in Nebraska, and Jason was at home in Missouri. So much was loaded into Jenny&#8217;s response and their conversation on the phone.



&#8220;Like, I just had no idea that there was somebody out there looking for me, you know? So, yeah, it&#8217;s hard to imagine all that when you&#8217;re an adoptee,&#8221; Jason said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mom-are-you-sitting-down">Mom, Are You Sitting Down?</h2>



They&#8217;d talked in the evening, but Jenny waited until morning to call Kim.



&#8220;Mom, are you sitting down,&#8221; she said.



Kim, concerned something was terribly wrong, sat down and braced herself. Her husband stood by, concerned.



&#8220;Mom, I found your son,&#8221; Jenny said.



&#8220;We were both crying and talking,&#8221; Kim said. It took me a while to catch my breath, but as soon as I did, I called (Jason), and it&#8217;s been like it was all meant to be.&#8221;



They eventually arranged to meet in person. Kim and her husband now live in Florida but had been in Minnesota and were on a road trip to see their daughter in Nebraska, so she and Jason arranged to meet at a road stop gas station about midway.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-a-relationship">Building a Relationship</h2>



For Kim, getting to know Jason, learning about his upbringing, meeting his family, and having them embrace her has given her peace. She&#8217;s building relationships with them that are expanding her family. Jason and his wife have visited Kim and her husband in Florida. They all spent time with Jason&#8217;s family in Missouri.



&#8220;His entire family was there to meet us, and I cannot tell you how nervous I was to meet them, but I got the best hugs and love from everybody,&#8221; Kim said. &#8220;I&#8217;m so thankful these lovely people adopted Jason.&#8221;



They&#8217;re trying to build new family traditions, but Kim said there isn&#8217;t a rush.



&#8220;I don&#8217;t need to hurry anything,&#8221; she said. &#8220;We&#8217;re a family now. We&#8217;re together, and we&#8217;re not going anywhere.&#8221;



Jason knows that many adoptees never get the opportunity to meet their birth mom or build a relationship. Maybe they never connect; if they do, it isn&#8217;t a welcoming experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;



&#8220;I didn&#8217;t even realize anything was missing in my life, but now I feel complete.&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discover-more-with-23andme">Discover more with 23andMe</h2>



Not everyone is searching for family, but <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/">23andMe&#8217;s Ancestry Service </a>can help you learn your genetic connections to more than 3000 geographic regions or your connections to DNA Relatives with whom you share DNA. 



If you want to go deeper, <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/">23andMe Health + Ancestry</a> gives you all the great insights of the Ancestry Service, plus more than 150 personalized reports with information to help you manage your health. 



Learn more about <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/">all that 23andMe offers here</a>.

A Mother and Son Reunion

Today is DNA Day, and while every day at 23andMe is about DNA, this one is extra special because it allows everyone to delight in the power of DNA.



Whether you are a 23andMe customer or just DNA curious, there is a lot you can do if you’d like to start or deepen your genetic journey and take action to participate in the new genomic age.



We’ll get to that, but first, take a moment to learn —or refresh your knowledge — about what we’re celebrating.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-double-helix-celebration">A Double Helix Celebration</h2>



<a href="https://www.genome.gov/dna-day">DNA Day</a> commemorates the anniversary of the 1953 discovery of the double helix structure of DNA and the 2003 completion of the human genome project that led to the sequencing of the human genome for the first time. That code represents the building blocks of life, and it gives us access to information that has already led to medical and scientific breakthroughs, as well as an understanding of the human story.



23andMe was founded in 2006, not long after the publication of the mapping of the human genome. Our mission then and now is to help people access, understand, and benefit from the human genome.&nbsp;



Not too long ago, 23andMe surpassed 15 million genotyped customers, each of whom chose to begin their genetic journey with us. We’d like to invite you along as well, or if you’re already a customer, we’d like to share with you how to go a little further on this journey.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-steps">First Steps</h2>



If you’re not yet a customer, your first step could be to spit in a tube provided in one of our test kits and send it to our lab. At the lab, technicians extract DNA from your saliva, which is placed on a genotyping chip.



Here’s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtxX_3nVDao">a little video</a> about the different services we offer customers and what they can tell you about your health, traits, and ancestry.



Of course, if you don’t want to use 23andMe or don’t want to use a genetic test, there are plenty of great and free options for learning more about genetics. One of our go-to resources is the <a href="https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics">National Human Genome Research Institute</a>, but many other options exist.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-open-and-explore-your-reports">Open and Explore Your Reports</h2>



Like with any exploration, you don’t know what you might find in using 23andMe that could draw you deeper into your DNA exploration.



Customers might want to learn more about their health, find DNA relatives, or learn about their genetic ancestry. Some people are just curious and want to geek out on genetics.&nbsp;



If you’ve taken that first step and tested, the next step is to open your reports. Some Genetic Health Risk Reports*—such as those on Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease, BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants), and Parkinson’s Disease, for instance—require an additional opt-in before opening. But whatever reports you’re looking at, we have tutorials on navigating them and where to start.



Our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/">Ancestry Service</a> has the most comprehensive ancestry breakdown on the market; it now includes more than 3000 geographic regions, an automatic family tree builder, and more than 30 trait reports. As 23andMe grows, so does our ability to improve the granularity and specificity of the regions we offer in our ancestry report. For instance, we added 36 new Genetic Groups in France and Belgium.&nbsp;



23andMe’s <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/">Health + Ancestry Service</a> includes everything you get in the Ancestry Service plus health predisposition reports (including FDA-authorized reports), wellness reports, carrier status reports, and a family health history tree feature. In all, the service includes more than 150 personalized reports.



The 23andMe+ Premium membership includes everything in the Health + Ancestry Service plus more than 30 PRS reports, including reports on three of the most common forms of cancer and reports on heart health and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. In addition, the service includes FDA-authorized reports on how your genetics may impact the way you process certain types of medications.** 23andMe+ Premium also includes tools and features such as <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/stay-on-track-with-23andme-health-tracks">Health Tracks</a>SM and <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/a-health-action-plan-for-you">Health Action Plan</a> to help you get even more personalized recommendations. Most recently, we’ve added a new ancestry feature called <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches">Historical Matches</a>SM that helps determine whether you connect to one or more of 335 historical people across the globe.&nbsp;



For those who want our most advanced and comprehensive health membership, we offer <a href="https://www.23andme.com/total-health/">23andMe+ Total Health</a>***, which includes next-generation sequencing that detects 200x more disease-causing genetic variants*. This new membership offers more than 190 genetic reports from 23andMe+ Premium, along with clinician-ordered exome sequencing to help identify disease risks and biannual blood testing with advanced cardiometabolic biomarkers. You&#8217;ll have direct access to clinicians trained in genetics-informed care to receive a personalized health plan tailored to you



Whatever services you’re using with 23andMe, we offer a guide to <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/">get started with your reports</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-participate-in-research">Participate in Research</h2>



What is something in you, something in your DNA, that could help scientists better understand a disease or develop a new treatment or cure?&nbsp;



One of the many innovations 23andMe pioneered is our research model, which allows people to consent to participate in research. The guiding principle for 23andMe is transparency and choice. It’s a choice whether someone wants to access their genetic information, and 23andMe also gives our customers a choice about whether they want to participate in research. More than 80 percent of 23andMe customers actively consent to participate in research.&nbsp;



Our research database, which contains aggregated de-identified genetic and phenotypic data, is by far the largest research database of its kind.&nbsp;



It’s helped not just our scientists but academic and institutional researchers with whom we’ve collaborated on more than <a href="https://research.23andme.com/publications/#publications">250 publications</a> on neurological conditions, cancers, and rare diseases. There are also ongoing research studies for <a href="https://www.23andme.com/PD/">Parkinson’s Disease,</a> <a href="https://www.23andme.com/genetic-insights-into-colorectal-cancer-black-community/">Colorectal Cancer within the Black Community</a>, and <a href="https://www.23andme.com/sickle-cell/">Sickle Cell</a>. And we continue to work on other conditions, including <a href="https://www.23andme.com/depression-bipolar/">depression and bipolar disorder</a>, <a href="https://www.23andme.com/sarcoidosis-representation/">sarcoidosis</a>, and <a href="https://you.23andme.com/covid19-study/">COVID</a>.&nbsp;



Another aspect of this work is ensuring that our research is more representative and thus benefits people of all backgrounds. Unfortunately, much of genetic research to date lacks diversity, which has meant that people of non-European backgrounds often do not benefit from those insights. 23andMe is trying to change that. Our Black Representation in Genomic Research study, for instance, has made great strides at engaging with communities that have historically been left out of research.&nbsp;



You can also help. If you’re a customer of 23andMe, you can consent to participate in research at any time through your Account Settings; if you’re not, you can seek out opportunities to participate in research through the <a href="https://allofus.nih.gov/">National Institutes of Health’s All of Us</a> effort, for example, or the Veteran’s Administration <a href="https://www.research.va.gov/mvp/">Million Veterans Program</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-share-your-story">Share Your Story</h2>



It’s always been heartening for us at 23andMe to hear from our customers and those who participate in our research about how launching their DNA journey has impacted them.&nbsp;



Whether they’ve learned more about their <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-connects-living-family-to-enslaved-african-american-from-historic-site">family’s ancestral journey</a>, discovered <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbWirWghCJA">life-saving information</a> about family members, or joined with others to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JzErEQFPIU">participate in crucial genetic research</a>, their stories inspire us all.&nbsp;



If you have a story to share, <a href="https://www.23andme.com/stories/#submit">we’d love to hear it</a>.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



*23andMe health predisposition reports include both reports that meet FDA requirements for genetic health risks and reports that are based on 23andMe research and have not been reviewed by the FDA. The test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks. It is not intended to diagnose any disease. Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. Each genetic health risk report describes if a person has variants associated with a higher risk of developing a disease, but does not describe a person’s overall risk of developing the disease. The test is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health or to be used to make medical decisions, including whether or not you should take a medication, how much of a medication you should take, or determine any treatment. For certain conditions, we provide a single report that includes information on both carrier status and genetic health risk. 



Warnings &amp; Limitations: The 23andMe PGS Genetic Health Risk Report for BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) is indicated for reporting 44 variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The report describes if a person&#8217;s genetic result is associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer and may be associated with an increased risk for prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and potentially other cancers. The variants included in this report do not represent the majority of the BRCA1/BRCA2 variants in people of most ethnicities. This report does not include variants in other genes linked to hereditary cancers and the absence of variants included in this report does not rule out the presence of other genetic variants that may impact cancer risk. This report is for over-the-counter use by adults over the age of 18 and provides genetic information to inform discussions with a healthcare professional. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional for recommended screenings or appropriate follow-up. Results should be confirmed by an independent genetic test prescribed by your own healthcare provider before taking any medical action. For important information and limitations regarding each genetic health risk report, visit <a href="https://www.23andme.com/test-info/">23andme.com/test-info/</a>. 



**23andMe PGS Pharmacogenetics reports: The 23andMe test uses qualitative genotyping to detect 3 variants in the CYP2C19 gene, 2 variants in the DPYD gene, and 1 variant in the SLCO1B1 gene in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting information about the processing of certain therapeutics to inform discussions with a healthcare professional. It does not describe if a person will or will not respond to a particular therapeutic. Our CYP2C19 Pharmacogenetics report provides certain information about variants associated with the metabolism of some therapeutics and provides interpretive drug information regarding the potential effect of citalopram and clopidogrel therapy. Our SLCO1B1 Pharmacogenetics report provides certain information about variants associated with the processing of some therapeutics and provides interpretive drug information regarding the potential effect of simvastatin therapy. Our DPYD Pharmacogenetics report does not describe the association between detected variants and any specific therapeutic. Results for DPYD and certain CYP2C19 results should be confirmed by an independent genetic test prescribed by your own healthcare provider before taking any medical action. Warning: Test information should not be used to start, stop, or change any course of treatment and does not test for all possible variants that may affect metabolism or protein function. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional. Making changes to your current regimen can lead to harmful side effects or reduced intended benefits of your medication, therefore consult with your healthcare professional before taking any medical action. For important information and limitations regarding Pharmacogenetic reports, visit <a href="http://23andme.com/test-info/pharmacogenetics/">23andme.com/test-info/pharmacogenetics/</a> 



***Total Health is not available to residents of HI, NJ, NY, OK, RI and US territories. Not currently available to existing 23andMe customers. <a href="https://www.23andme.com/total-health/#sign-up">Sign up</a> to be the first to know when it’s available.



Exome Sequencing and blood testing services are available to eligible customers upon completion of the intake questionnaire that must be reviewed, approved and ordered by a third-party clinician. Exome Sequencing is analyzed by a CLIA- and CAP-accredited laboratory. Blood testing is completed by Quest Diagnostics. All telehealth services are provided in accordance with the Telehealth Terms and Consent Telehealth.



‡Our genotyping product detects 250 health-related variants in our Carrier Status and Genetic Health Risk reports. The Exome Sequencing reports detect 50,000+ hereditary disease-causing variants.&nbsp;

Happy DNA Day 2024

Maybe you didn&#8217;t know that April 23rd marks the 828th anniversary of the death of King Béla III of Hungary. Perhaps you know nothing about King Béla III, but you might want to, especially if you&#8217;re genetically related to this monarch from the Middle Ages. 



King Béla III was one of the most prominent rulers of the Kingdom of Hungary during the Árpád dynasty (1001–1301 CE). More than that, he left a legacy for legal and educational reforms that endured after his death. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historical-matches">Historical Matches</h2>



Marking the anniversary, 23andMe is updating Historical MatchesSM, our new 23andMe+ Premium membership feature that may genetically connect you to one or more of hundreds of historical people across the globe. Some are unnamed individuals from specific times and places in history, while others are named historical figures like King Béla III and Ludwig Van Beethoven. 



Born in 1148, King Béla III  CE assumed the title of King of Hungary and Croatia in 1172. He is credited with promoting the use of written records in Hungary and adopting the two-barred cross (or “double cross”) as a symbol of the Kingdom of Hungary—the cross still appears on the coat of arms of Hungary to this day.



Like all rulers in the Árpád dynasty, Béla III was a direct, paternal lineage descendant of Grand Prince Árpád, who led the Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin in the late 9th century. During this conquest, members of seven Hungarian tribes joined forces with one another and a group of Turkic-speaking people known as the Kabars to establish control in the region and assimilate its diverse inhabitants, which included the Avars and Slavonic groups. This conquest ultimately brought about the establishment of the Kingdom of Hungary around the year 1000.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anniversary">Anniversary</h2>



On April 23rd, 1196 CE, when Béla III was 47 or 48, he fell ill and died. He was initially buried in the Székesfehérvár Cathedral in Hungary along with his first wife, Anna of Antioch, and other members of the Árpád family. However, after being excavated in 1848, the remains of Béla III and Anna were eventually moved to the Matthias Church in Budapest, where their sarcophagus remains.



In 2014, Béla III and Anna’s tomb was opened, and four of King Béla III’s bones were sampled for ancient DNA in the hopes of learning about his ancestry. In 2021,<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-98796-x"> his genome was published as part of a study</a> led by a team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Germany.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more">Learn More</h2>



Through 23andMe&#8217;s Historical Matches feature, which is available to all <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/">23andMe+ Premium </a>members, you can learn more about King Béla III, including whether you are one of his distant genetic relatives.

A relief image in bronze of King Bela III of Hungary.

Do you know about King Béla III?

As part of <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/03/29/a-proclamation-on-cancer-control-month-2024/">National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month</a>, 23andMe is joining <a href="https://www.preventcancer.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2024_White_House_partner_letter_Cancer_Prevention_Early_Detection_FINAL.pdf">other voices</a> in April to raise awareness.&nbsp;



By sharing insights with our customers about cancer risk, we aim to highlight the importance of knowing one’s family health history, getting appropriate cancer screenings, and understanding the role of genetics and lifestyle in cancer risk.



“Probably the most important thing 23andMe does is help people understand whether they have an increased likelihood of cancer based on their genetics, often information that they would not have known otherwise,” said Noura Abul-Husn, MD, PhD, Vice President of Genomic Health at 23andMe. “But we also highlight for everyone the importance of family health history and other factors that contribute to cancer risk.”



23andMe does not diagnose cancer, but thousands of 23andMe customers have learned of their genetic likelihood of developing different forms of cancer.* This, in turn, has empowered them with information that they and their doctors can use to take preventive steps and personalize care. Those steps might include confirmatory testing of genetic risk, earlier or more frequent cancer screenings, or, when necessary, preventative surgery. Sometimes, the next steps might focus more on changes in diet and exercise to help reduce risk and prevent cancer.



Finding out early about a risk, or learning that you have cancer in the very early stages, offers the most potential for prevention or treatment. Large numbers of individuals who are at risk, or may be in the early stages of cancer, remain unaware.&nbsp;



One study in 2019 found that almost a quarter of prostate cancers and about a third of breast cancers are diagnosed in the <a href="https://progressreport.cancer.gov/diagnosis/stage">late stage of the disease</a>. Unfortunately it’s likely that for other cancers that may be harder to detect or for which screening is not as readily available, the percentage of those that are only detected in the later stages is even higher.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taking-action">Taking Action</h2>



At 23andMe, we’ve also seen firsthand the transformative power this knowledge has given people.



This includes people like <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/a-mother-and-daughters-fight-against-cancer">Kenzie and her mom, Shannon</a>. Kenzie learned from her <a href="https://www.23andme.com/brca/">23andMe BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk Report</a>* that she had a BRCA1 variant that put her at a much higher risk for breast, ovarian, and other cancers. Her mom, Shanon, had gone through treatment for a form of blood cancer when Kenzie was in her teens. Because of her cancer history, Shannon made an appointment with her oncologist, where she shared the news about Kenzie’s report. She was referred to a genetic counselor, who immediately set Shannon up for genetic testing. Kenzie also got confirmatory testing. It turned out that both mother and daughter carry the BRCA1 variant putting them at higher risk for cancer. 



Shannon said that learning of her and her daughter’s genetic risk for cancer was transformative and allowed them to work with their doctors to take action.&nbsp;



“I think for me, how quickly we were able to move through this process to take control, that’s powerful,” said Shannon. “When I feel a little deflated or sad that Kenzie has this (risk), I worry about her; Kenzie reminds me of how blessed we are to have this knowledge. Look at what we’ve been able to do, not to get breast cancer. It’s an inspiration.”



For Shannon and Kenzie, addressing their risk meant preventive surgeries and more frequent cancer screening. Other individuals may choose different options depending on their risk, but knowing one’s risk is the critical first step in prevention. 



Cancer and Genetics



Up to ten percent of all cancers are <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics">due to inherited genetic variants</a> passed down through families. In genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2, these variants significantly impact cancer risk.



For people with these highly impactful variants, clinical guidelines recommend enhanced screening and, in some cases, preventive surgeries and medications. But most people with these variants don&#8217;t know they have them.



For example, studies have found that <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6324494/">more than 80 percent</a> of people with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 variant don’t know they have it. Many do not have a family history of cancer that would qualify them for traditional genetic testing through a healthcare professional. Layered onto that are disparities in access to BRCA1/2 genetic testing in some communities in the U.S., including the Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian communities.



We&#8217;ve heard from many customers who learned they had a BRCA variant through 23andMe. This includes <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msBITuIygtw">Ann</a>, whose knowledge allowed her to make a decision about her body from a place of being healthy. <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/sarahs-23andme-report-leads-to-preventative-action">Sarah</a>’s 23andMe report alerted her and her doctors and allowed her to catch her breast cancer at a very early stage. There’s also&nbsp; <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/after-the-click-brca">Laura</a>, who said that finding out she had a BRCA variant gave her a chance to “change (her) destiny.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-factors">Other Factors</h2>



Thankfully, variants with a big impact on cancer risk are relatively rare — for example, about 1 in 200 people in the general population has a BRCA1 or BRCA2 variant. However, these variants are more common in certain populations, such as people with Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.



For people without a high-risk variant, genetics can still play an important role. In these cases, the chances of developing cancer are influenced by thousands of common variants that each have a small effect. It’s these common genetic variants combined with lifestyle and environment that increased the likelihood of a majority of cancer.



Non-genetic factors that impact cancer risk include such things as ultraviolet radiation from the sun, smoking tobacco, chemical exposures, viruses, or other carcinogenic exposures that damage cells and could trigger the growth of cancer.&nbsp;



Understanding one’s risk and the mix of genetic and non-genetic factors in that risk can also highlight that we are not powerless. Estimates suggest that <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/03/29/a-proclamation-on-cancer-control-month-2024/">about 30 percent of cancers</a> are preventable through making healthier choices, whether it&#8217;s stopping smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, or getting enough exercise. 



But cancers can also happen to people who make all the right choices around diet and exercise, and who don&#8217;t have any known genetic risk factors. For example, non-smokers can still get lung cancer. This is one reason why early detection — through routine screening and talking with a healthcare professional about any new or concerning symptoms — is so important.&nbsp;



Each cancer is different but they all share something in common: a disruption of the normal process of cell division and growth in our bodies. Cancer hijacks this process, allowing abnormal cells to grow, divide, and metastasize into other body parts.&nbsp;



Left unchecked cancer can spread throughout the body making it very difficult to treat. That’s why improved early screening for cancers and access to healthcare are also so crucial in preventing cancer and detecting it early.     



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-knowledge-is-power">Knowledge is Power</h2>



Caught early, most cancers are treatable. But catching cancer early — or preventing it entirely — requires better screening or knowing who may be at the higher risk because of a genetic risk for cancer, or a family history of cancer, or because of lifestyle or environmental exposures.



Something as simple as learning your family’s cancer history is tremendously important. Just consider that the <a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/risk-and-prevention/breast-cancer-risk-factors-you-cannot-change.html">risk for breast cancer nearly doubles</a> if a sibling or parent has ever had breast cancer, for instance. 23andMe offers tools for tracking family health history. There are also other tools for tracking this information including the free online tool from the Surgeon General called <a href="https://cbiit.github.io/FHH/html/index.html">My Family Health Portrait.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;



Sometimes, the information we learn from our family history or from genetic testing can be life-changing. Other times, information from genetic testing can be more subtle than that, nudging us toward healthier actions. Learning your genetics increases your likelihood of developing skin cancer, for example, reminds you to be more diligent about sunscreen, and can motivate you to follow through on seeing a dermatologist for regular skin checks. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more">Learn More</h2>



23andMe provides customers with two types of genetic reports on cancer.



In our Genetic Health Risk reports, we report on individual variants with a big impact on cancer risk. These reports include our BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) report*, which tests for 44 variants associated with a higher risk for breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancer; our MUTYH-Associated Polyposis report*, which tests for 2 variants that increase risk for colorectal cancer; and our 23andMe+ Premium Hereditary Prostate Cancer (HOXB13-Related) report*, which tests for one variant that increases risk for prostate cancer.



In our reports powered by 23andMe research, we use data from consented 23andMe research participants to develop polygenic scores that take into account thousands of common, small-impact variants to provide information about the chances of developing cancer. For 23andMe+ Premium members, we currently offer this type of report on some of the most common types of cancer: breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer, along with two reports related to skin cancer (basal and squamous cell carcinomas, and melanoma). For each of these cancer reports, 23andMe offers follow-up recommendations.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-find-out-more">Find Out More</h2>



Learn more about all that 23andMe has to offer and <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/">compare our services here</a>.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disclaimer">*Disclaimer:</h6>



23andMe health predisposition reports include both reports that meet FDA requirements for genetic health risks and reports which are based on 23andMe research and have not been reviewed by the FDA. The test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks and reporting carrier status. It is not intended to diagnose any disease. Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. Each genetic health risk report describes if a person has variants associated with a higher risk of developing a disease, but does not describe a person’s overall risk of developing the disease. The test is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health, or to be used to make medical decisions, including whether or not you should take a medication, how much of a medication you should take, or determine any treatment. Our carrier status reports can be used to determine carrier status, but cannot determine if you have two copies of any genetic variant. These carrier reports are not intended to tell you anything about your risk for developing a disease in the future, the health of your fetus, or your newborn child&#8217;s risk of developing a particular disease later in life. For certain conditions, we provide a single report that includes information on both carrier status and genetic health risk. 



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warnings-amp-limitations">Warnings &amp; Limitations: </h6>



The 23andMe PGS Genetic Health Risk Report for BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) is indicated for reporting of 44 variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The report describes if a person&#8217;s genetic result is associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer and may be associated with an increased risk for prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and potentially other cancers. The variants included in this report do not represent the majority of the BRCA1/BRCA2 variants in people of most ethnicities. The MUTYH-Associated Polyposis Genetic Health Risk Report is indicated for reporting the Y179C and G396D variants in the MUTYH gene and an increased risk for colorectal cancer. The two variants included in this report are most common in people of Northern European descent. The Hereditary Prostate Cancer (HOXB13-Related) Genetic Health Risk report is indicated for reporting the G84E variant in the HOXB13 gene. The report describes if a person has the G84E variant and if a male is at increased risk for prostate cancer. The variant included in this report is most common in people of European descent, especially in people of Northern European descent. These reports do not include variants in other genes linked to hereditary cancers and the absence of variants included in these reports do not rule out the presence of other genetic variants that may impact cancer risk. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional for recommended screenings or appropriate follow-up. Results should be confirmed by an independent genetic test prescribed by your own healthcare provider before taking any medical action. For important information and limitations regarding all genetic health risk reports, visit <a href="https://www.23andme.com/test-info/">https://www.23andme.com/test-info</a>.

An illustration showing families exercising.

Understanding the Risk Is the First Step in Preventing Cancer

23andMe’s Paternal Haplogroup Report describes the genetic line connecting you to your father, his father, and beyond. This blog post describes some of the science behind the report and the details of the update to our paternal haplogroup assignments to improve accuracy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overview">Overview</h2>



To identify the paternal haplogroup of each customer with a Y chromosome, 23andMe uses our “<a href="https://github.com/23andMe/yhaplo">Yhaplo</a>” program, which relies on Y-chromosome variation data curated by the <a href="https://isogg.org/tree">International Society of Genetic Genealogy</a> (ISOGG). In the years since we first developed Yhaplo, ISOGG has updated various entries, leading to incorrect (but closely related) paternal haplogroup assignments for some customers.



We have identified and corrected several “variant metadata” errors for this update to improve haplogroup assignments. While we were at it, we also excluded variants performing poorly on the latest genotyping chip, V5, further improving haplogroup calls. As a result, some customers will see enhanced paternal haplogroup assignments, whereas most will not.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientific-details">Scientific Details</h2>



Haplogroups and Haplogroup Nomenclature



The Y chromosome bears the longest stretch of non-recombining DNA in the human genome, making it a powerful genealogical tool. The chromosome contains sufficient information to reconstruct a detailed phylogenetic tree relating the male lines of every man to the most recent male-line ancestor of all men. The clades of this tree—the subtrees descending from any given branch—are called “haplogroups.” Because haplogroups are highly correlated with geography and population, they can tell us where an individual’s male-line ancestors may have lived and give us insight into historical migrations.



The Y-chromosome tree in Figure 1 illustrates the primary structure and indicates how the major haplogroups relate. Each branch shown is the root of a subtree with a far more detailed structure not shown.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="781" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/y.tree_.primary.aligned.2016.01.04.edited-1024x781.png" alt="An image that shows the labels for different paternal haplogrous and how they branch off from each other." class="wp-image-32777" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/y.tree_.primary.aligned.2016.01.04.edited-1024x781.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/y.tree_.primary.aligned.2016.01.04.edited-300x229.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/y.tree_.primary.aligned.2016.01.04.edited-768x586.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/y.tree_.primary.aligned.2016.01.04.edited-880x672.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/y.tree_.primary.aligned.2016.01.04.edited-1180x900.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/y.tree_.primary.aligned.2016.01.04.edited.png 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Figure 1 | Primary structure of the Y-chromosome tree. Nineteen letters label monophyletic clades, but three of these (orange) denote internal branches ancestral to other lettered haplogroups: F is an ancestor of G, H, I, J, and K; K is the common ancestor of L, T, N, O, S, M, and P; and P is an ancestor of Q and R. A twentieth letter, “A”, marks a paraphyletic group of the four most highly diverged clades: A00, A0, A1a, and A1b1 (blue). Multi-letter labels represent joins. For example, DE is the parent of D and E. Finally, A1b is the parent of A1b1 and BT, the common ancestor of all non-A haplogroups.
</figcaption></figure>



Every tree branch represents a set of one or more genetic variations, each of which arose in some ancestor of the clade. For example, on the Y chromosome of an individual who lived ~35,000 years ago, an adenine (A) mutated to a guanine (G) at GRCh37 position 15,581,983. Today, this individual has many male-line descendants, all of whom carry the “derived” G allele at this genomic position. In contrast, men who do not count this individual among their male-line ancestors usually carry the “ancestral” A allele.



When a variation arises, we call it a “mutation,” and when it has risen to an appreciable frequency, we call it a “polymorphism.” The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) described above is “M207”. The “M” stands for “marker”, and the number indicates that it was the 207th Y-chromosome marker discovered by Peter Underhill, who named the SNPs he discovered in sequence with “M” numbers. There are many other phylogenetically equivalent SNPs on the branch defining haplogroup R. Still, since M207 is well known, we use it as a proxy for the others and refer to the haplogroup as “R-M207.” In general, we refer to each haplogroup by one or more letters, a hyphen, and the name of a SNP associated with the branch defining the haplogroup.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-identifying-an-individual-s-y-chromosome-haplogroup">Identifying an Individual’s Y-Chromosome Haplogroup</h2>



Yhaplo walks along the tree to determine how a customer&#8217;s Y chromosome relates to the known Y-haplogroup phylogeny. 



Each considered branch compares the individual’s observed genotypes to the ancestral and derived alleles of markers associated with the branch. It decides whether to consider the branch’s descendants or to move on. In doing so, it traces a path from the tree&#8217;s root to a final haplogroup designation. Figure 2 shows an example. In this example, an individual possesses derived alleles along a path (orange branches). This extends from the tree&#8217;s root (not shown) to the root of haplogroup R (R-M207) to haplogroup R-CTS241. In contrast, the individual possesses ancestral alleles (blue branches) outside this path.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="487" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/R.subtree-1024x487.png" alt="An illustration of paternal haplogroup R-M207 and the pruned subtrees." class="wp-image-32778" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/R.subtree-1024x487.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/R.subtree-300x143.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/R.subtree-768x365.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/R.subtree-880x418.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/R.subtree.png 1166w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Figure 2 | Example path through haplogroup R. Pruned subtree showing the path from Y-chromosome haplogroup R-M207 to haplogroup R-CTS241 and its immediate descendants. Orange indicates branches associated with variants observed in the derived state in the example individual, blue indicates branches associated with variants observed in the ancestral state, and red indicates a branch associated with a variant the individual possesses in the ancestral state but that appeared to be in the derived state before this update.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-some-haplogroup-assignments-have-changed">Why Some Haplogroup Assignments Have Changed</h2>



As described above, Yhaplo draws variant metadata from ISOGG. This includes the ancestral and derived alleles of each variant. For most people, sporadic metadata errors did not impact Yhaplo’s ability to call haplogroups. However, in some cases, they led to haplogroup assignments that were a bit off. For example, the ancestral and derived alleles of SNP L1335 were reversed. This led to Yhaplo incorrectly assigning R-L1335 to some individuals (red branch in Figure 2). With such errors corrected, Yhaplo is more accurate, and these changes will be reflected in the updated Paternal Haplogroup Report.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-additional-resources">Additional Resources</h2>



For additional details on the Yhaplo algorithm, please see our <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/088716v1">bioRxiv manuscript</a>. We have open-sourced <a href="https://github.com/23andMe/yhaplo">Yhaplo</a> on GitHub for non-commercial use, pursuant to the terms of the non-exclusive license agreement included with the software distribution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more">Learn More </h2>



You can read more about haplogroups in <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/haplogroups-explained">this blog post,</a> or look at some of the frequently asked questions below. Find out more about <a href="https:/https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/">23andMe&#8217;s Ancestry Service here</a>.



<div class="schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block"><div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1713213967245"> What&#8217;s a haplogroup? Scientists use the term haplogroup to describe a group of mitochondrial or Y-chromosome sequences that are more closely related than other sequences. The term haplogroup is a combination of haplotype and group. In this context, haplotype refers either to the DNA sequence of one&#8217;s mitochondrial DNA, inherited from one&#8217;s mother or to the DNA sequence of one&#8217;s Y chromosome, passed from fathers to their sons. Haplogroups are assigned by detecting specific genetic variants unique to each haplogroup. </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1713214063422"> What&#8217;s a maternal haplogroup? Your Maternal Haplogroup Report tells you about <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/article_attachments/115019476767/yellow_mtDNA_pedigree.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">your maternal-line ancestors</a>, from your mother through her mother and beyond. If </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1713214113113">What&#8217;s a paternal haplogroup? If you are male, your Paternal Haplogroup Report tells you about <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/article_attachments/115019476707/ydna.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">your paternal-line ancestors</a>, from your father to his father and beyond. </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1713214325960"> What might my haplogroup tell me about my ancestry? Your haplogroup is a clue to your maternal or paternal ancestry. Over tens of thousands of years, humans migrated from eastern Africa to inhabit every continent on Earth except Antarctica. The Haplogroup reports show the migration patterns of people with a given haplogroup. </div> </div>

Latest Posts — Page 18