Editor&#8217;s Note: We first published this post on the heels of our collaboration with the University of California San Diego researchers. It offers some stark reminders that loneliness has a cost not just on our mental health but our physical health as well. A new report by the Centers for Disease Control reminded us of the growing number of people alone in the United States. It also reminded us of how serious a problem loneliness is for our health, as detrimental to our health as smoking. In light of that report and others looking at the rise in mental health issues among adults, we wanted to resurface this post from 2020.



Humans are social animals. We thrive through contact with other people, and the importance of that connection can be seen by what happens in its absence.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1254" height="836" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/iStock-1051207682.jpg" alt="Loneliness has an impact on health." class="wp-image-27918" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/iStock-1051207682.jpg 1254w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/iStock-1051207682-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/iStock-1051207682-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/iStock-1051207682-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/iStock-1051207682-880x587.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/iStock-1051207682-1180x787.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1254px) 100vw, 1254px" /></figure>



Several studies have shown the damaging impact loneliness has on human health. The adverse health effects of loneliness rival that of smoking and obesity, according to <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13607863.2019.1699022">recent studies done by scientists at UC San Diego</a>.







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-loneliness-a-growing-problem">Loneliness, A Growing Problem</h2>



Growing isolation and loneliness, particularly among the elderly, have prompted public health responses. Two years ago, the United Kingdom created the first national strategy to deal with the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-launches-governments-first-loneliness-strategy">health consequences of isolation</a>. The National Academies of Sciences have begun to study the problem in the United States.&nbsp;



But beyond trying to combat social isolation, scientists are also researching for possible genetic predispositions toward loneliness. They also look at where those associations might overlap with risks for specific health outcomes.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetics-also-plays-a-role">Genetics Also Plays a Role</h2>



Two recently completed studies offer compelling evidence of a genetic predisposition toward loneliness. Both studies, which included data from 23andMe and the UK Biobank, found shared genetic associations between loneliness and other conditions like cardiovascular disease, as well as psychiatric and metabolic disorders.



­­One study, led by researchers at the University of California at San Diego, found a clear association between loneliness and coronary artery disease, particularly among women. The study, published in <a href="https://academic.oup.com/hmg/article/28/22/3853/5568316">Human Molecular Genetics</a>, used data from more than half a million individuals. The researchers found 19 variants associated with a predisposition toward loneliness. Those variants were also associated with cardiovascular disease, as well as some psychiatric and metabolic disorders. Associations between major depressive disorder, loneliness, and heart disease have been described in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S104727971200292X">previous studies.&nbsp;</a> However, this study found that the associations are partly explained by genetics.



In another Vanderbilt University Medical Center study, researchers used electronic medical records and data from 23andMe, the UK Biobank, and others. That study looked at the connections between loneliness, major depressive disorder, and coronary artery disease. That study found that individuals with genetic risk for loneliness and major depressive disorder were more likely to have clinical diagnoses for coronary artery disease. This association was stronger in women than men, and the effect was specific to loneliness.



The studies come amid <a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/social-isolation-loneliness-older-people-pose-health-risks">increased attention</a> to the genuine public health consequences of loneliness, particularly among older people. The researchers suggest that understanding conditions associated with loneliness could help develop ways to <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2020/01/20/researchers-health-officials-call-for-unified-approach-loneliness-and-social-isolation/0Jqne5IjuDL1f9fg84xJBL/story.html">address the issue</a>.



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



23andMe does not have a report on loneliness, but 23andMe+ members can learn about conditions associated with loneliness, such as their genetic predisposition toward <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/prs.depression/">Depression</a> and <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/prs.anxiety/">Anxiety</a>.



Current 23andMe Health + Ancestry Service customers on the current genotyping chip can receive this report and 35+ other reports by joining 23andMe+ from within their accounts.



 Not a 23andMe+ customer yet?<a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Learn more about what 23andMe has to offer here</a>.

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

The Genetics of Loneliness and its Impact on Health

The FDA cleared 23andMe <a href="https://www.23andme.com/therapeutics/">Therapeutics</a> to begin dosing patients with advanced solid tumors as part of a Phase I clinical trial for a new investigational cancer drug.&nbsp;



This clinical trial, to begin later this year, will be the Company&#8217;s second clinical trial for a cancer drug. The first, 23ME-00610, <a href="https://investors.23andme.com/news-releases/news-release-details/23andme-initiates-phase-1-clinical-trial-first-wholly-owned?_gl=1*6ipvci*_ga*MTQxMjAyNTMyNC4xNzA0OTE0NjI0*_ga_G330GF3ZFF*MTcwNjEzOTU1Mi41LjEuMTcwNjEzOTk4My4wLjAuMA..">begun in early 2022</a>, is now enrolling patients in the Phase 2a portion of its Phase 1/2a  clinical trial. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-new-investigational-cancer-treatment">The New Investigational Cancer Treatment</h2>



The new drug, 23ME-01473, or ‘1473, is designed to restore anti-tumor immunity by activating two types of immune cells — Natural Killer (NK) cells and T cells. It binds to ULBP6, a protein that binds to the immune-activating receptor NKG2D on NK and T cells.



&#8220;The team is excited to initiate our next immuno-oncology program, ‘1473, which is particularly interesting given its two mechanisms of action, which may synergize to enhance NK and T cell immunity against certain tumors,&#8221; said Jennifer Low, MD, Ph.D., Head of Therapeutics Development at 23andMe.



Typically, cells express ULBPs on their surface in response to a stressor such as an infection or cancer to signal to NKG2D on immune cells that there is an abnormality. However, some cancers shed ULBP6 from the cell surface, which acts as a decoy to evade immune cell recognition through NKG2D.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-immune-activation">Immune Activation</h2>



By binding the shed ULBP6, immune activation through NKG2D activation may restore the immune cells&#8217; ability to recognize and fight cancer. 



Additionally, the fragment crystallizable (Fc) region of &#8216;1473 is designed to further promote cancer cell killing by immune cells, offering another mechanism for anti-tumor activity.



Part of 23andMe Therapeutics&#8217; mission is to create new treatments to address unmet needs. The hope is that ‘1473 could help cancer patients with tumors resistant to other therapies. Combining NK and T cell activation as part of this process could initiate a broader and deeper immune system response and delay tumor resistance, often seen with traditional checkpoint inhibitor treatments for these cancers.



As with other Phase 1 clinical trials, this one will assess safety and identify a safe and efficacious dose level and frequency for this newly developed drug in a small group of cancer patients.



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



Learn more about <a href="https://therapeutics.23andme.com/">23andMe Therapeutics</a>, its <a href="https://therapeutics.23andme.com/pipeline-programs/">pipeline, and programs</a> at the updated website <a href="https://therapeutics.23andme.com/about/">here</a>.

23andMe’s Second Clinical Trial of New Investigational Cancer Treatment

Emily&#8217;s deep curiosity drew her to try 23andMe, but she didn&#8217;t anticipate being floored by what she would learn.



&#8220;I was interested in the health information, of course,&#8221; said Emily, a mother of three who runs a small business and farm in Ohio with her husband. &#8220;But I guess the bigger part of why I tested is I&#8217;m just curious. I&#8217;m interested in history, genealogy, science, and the fun stuff that DNA can tell you. I didn&#8217;t expect this.&#8221;



Her results offered her a layer of information about her health and traits, and then something entirely unexpected expanded what she understood about herself and her family.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="769" height="1024" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/583F2C4C-8CF4-4976-B279-C04DA30B16B7-769x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-32429" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/583F2C4C-8CF4-4976-B279-C04DA30B16B7-769x1024.jpeg 769w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/583F2C4C-8CF4-4976-B279-C04DA30B16B7-887x1180.jpeg 887w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/583F2C4C-8CF4-4976-B279-C04DA30B16B7-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/583F2C4C-8CF4-4976-B279-C04DA30B16B7-768x1022.jpeg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/583F2C4C-8CF4-4976-B279-C04DA30B16B7-661x880.jpeg 661w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/583F2C4C-8CF4-4976-B279-C04DA30B16B7-scaled.jpeg 1923w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 769px) 100vw, 769px" /></figure>



She first focused on the health reports when she got her results in early 2023. Emily, who is in her 30s, was increasingly aware that prevention was a much better approach to her health than simply treating something after you&#8217;ve already gotten sick. She wanted to know if she had any genetic health risks for things like <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-updates-brca1-2-report">breast and ovarian cancer</a>*, <a href="https://www.23andme.com/en-eu/topics/health-predispositions/hereditary-thrombophilia/">blood clots</a>*, or her likelihood for certain <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/heart-health-2">heart </a>conditions that she should know about and try to prevent with the help of her doctor.&nbsp;



She learned instead that she had an increased genetic likelihood for type 2 diabetes. It surprised her because she&#8217;s active and in good shape. But while lifestyle and diet play a significant role in whether one develops type 2 diabetes, genetics is also a factor.



&#8220;It&#8217;s something for me to keep an eye on and take seriously,&#8221; said Emily, who is very health conscious. &#8220;That was probably the most valuable health information for me.&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-dna-surprise">A DNA Surprise</h2>



After learning a bit more about her health, Emily turned to her ancestry reports. That was when her jaw hit the floor.



&#8220;I saw that I shared 25 percent of my DNA with someone I didn&#8217;t know,&#8221; Emily said.



Customers have the option of opting into the DNA Relatives feature. DNA Relatives connects customers to other 23andMe customers who have also opted in, from close relatives to more distant third or fourth cousins.



In Emily&#8217;s case, she and an unknown relative named Eric shared 25 percent of their DNA. The DNA Relative feature predicted Eric was her uncle. Emily is in her 30s, while Eric is in his 50s. She called her sister.&nbsp;



At first, she wondered if maybe her grandfather had had a child they never knew about, but quickly looking at a dropdown list of other relatives who share 25 percent, she saw that half-brother was one of them. That made more sense. Then, she read the information Eric shared in his profile. He had been adopted and didn&#8217;t know much about his birth parents, only that his mom was a teenager when he was born.&nbsp;



Emily wanted to understand the connection, so she sent Eric a message.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-conversation-begins">A Conversation Begins</h2>



Eric responded quickly, and the two exchanged messages back and forth before getting on the phone to talk the next day. They quickly determined that Eric was Emily&#8217;s half-brother.



&#8220;I never dreamed I&#8217;d find a brother,&#8221; she said.



They quickly determined that perhaps when Emily&#8217;s dad was a 16-year-old high school student, he&#8217;d fathered a son he didn&#8217;t know about. Eric knew his birth mother&#8217;s name. Many years ago, he&#8217;d tried to contact her or her family, but her family turned him away.&nbsp;



He learned that she had passed away sometime after he&#8217;d reached out to her family. Emily wanted to see if her dad knew the name, so she found time to talk to her dad privately. She asked him if he remembered the woman&#8217;s name. He did. She told him about Eric. He was surprised but not as surprised as she thought he&#8217;d be. They then told Emily&#8217;s mom.&nbsp;



Emily&#8217;s dad then explained that he&#8217;d had a girlfriend for two years in high school. They were both very close. Her dad had had a rough couple of years after his mom had died when he was 12. He was kind of on his own, and at least from the outside, it might not have looked like he had a future. At some point, after he&#8217;d been in a bad car accident, his girlfriend&#8217;s father asked him what his intentions were toward his daughter. He&#8217;d told him he had strong feelings for her, but soon after that, the family moved. The relationship ended after that. Looking back, Emily said her father thinks that maybe his girlfriend&#8217;s parents whisked her away, fearing their daughter might marry someone with few prospects. It wasn&#8217;t long after that she had Eric and put him up for adoption.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-family-nbsp">Building Family&nbsp;</h2>



While Emily wanted to be careful and sensitive during this process, she felt that her mom and dad were open to talking about it all and even to Eric.&nbsp;



At some point, after learning more about the back story, Emily got Eric on the phone.



After talking with everybody, Emily gave her dad some private time to talk to Eric and answer some of his questions.



&#8220;Hearing that they all appreciated how I handled it was important for me,&#8221; Emily said.



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="225" height="300" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/85CE27C7-4200-4FAF-AD0C-39966BC81C05-225x300.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-32426" style="aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/85CE27C7-4200-4FAF-AD0C-39966BC81C05-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/85CE27C7-4200-4FAF-AD0C-39966BC81C05-887x1180.jpeg 887w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/85CE27C7-4200-4FAF-AD0C-39966BC81C05-768x1022.jpeg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/85CE27C7-4200-4FAF-AD0C-39966BC81C05-769x1024.jpeg 769w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/85CE27C7-4200-4FAF-AD0C-39966BC81C05-661x880.jpeg 661w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/85CE27C7-4200-4FAF-AD0C-39966BC81C05-scaled.jpeg 1923w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" /></figure>



Not too long after, they all met at a park and had coffee. Soon, they were talking regularly. Emily&#8217;s dad, who liked to write poems, sent a couple of letters to Eric with poems he&#8217;d written. It was something he&#8217;d done for a long time for his daughters. Now they talk almost every day. A few months in, Eric and his wife came over for a cookout to meet the extended family, cousins, aunts, and uncles.&nbsp;



&#8220;Everyone welcomed him right away,&#8221; Emily said. &#8220;It&#8217;s like family now.&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-relationships">Building Relationships</h2>



But they are all still getting to know each other. Emily and her sister and relatives immediately noticed the resemblance. Eric does look like one of Emily&#8217;s uncles. Everyone said he was family once they saw his picture or him in person. 



But there are other things beyond appearances. Eric owns a print shop, and there&#8217;s an artistic bent in the family, Emily said. There are mannerisms and this enormous love of animals that they all share. Eric has several dogs. Emily owns a menagerie of animals on the farm and is especially fond of parrots. Over time, Eric started referring to their dad as Pop, which Emily and her sister&#8217;s children call their dad. It also happens to be how people once shortened their Slovak last name. It&#8217;s as if they were all meant to connect.



&#8220;There are familial similarities, personality, ways we interact, and things,&#8221; said Emily. &#8220;There hasn&#8217;t been any awkwardness.&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-connecting-it-all">Connecting it all</h2>



Emily is most proud that what could have been difficult or potentially painful was the opposite. She understands that this kind of family surprise doesn&#8217;t always end well. It can mean different things to different people.



She points out that Eric, who didn&#8217;t have connections to their biological family, is learning things many of us take for granted.&nbsp;



&#8220;Our genetics say so much about us and our family,&#8221; said Emily. &#8220;I mean, for someone who is adopted, knowing this health stuff can be so important. How would an adoptee know if, say, their grandfather had a thyroid condition or their dad had diabetes?&#8221;



But then there are many seemingly little things, &#8220;breadcrumbs,&#8221; as Emily says, that suddenly resonate or give context to their lives—things like personality, interests, and even their Slovak heritage.



&#8220;For him, it&#8217;s probably more helpful than I can imagine,&#8221; she said.



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disclaimer">Disclaimer</h2>



*The 23andMe PGS test includes health predisposition and carrier status reports. 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 to report and interpret genetic health risks and report 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.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warnings-amp-limitations-nbsp">Warnings &amp; Limitations:&nbsp;</h2>



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. 



This report does not represent most of the BRCA1/BRCA2 variants in people of most ethnicities. This report does not include variants in other genes linked to hereditary cancers. 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 in a clinical setting before taking any medical action. For important information and limitations regarding each genetic health risk and carrier status report, visit 23andme.com/test-info/

Using DNA to Explore Health and Family Connections

This week, researchers with the National Institutes of Health, in collaboration with 23andMe and about a dozen other groups, published the largest to-date genetic study of Parkinson&#8217;s disease. Notably, it is the first large-scale genetics study of Parkinson’s disease to include data from individuals from multiple ancestral populations.



Published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-023-01584-8.epdf?sharing_token=_D_bR6RYhWNv-TYITSaVttRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0MXLm2Fcn84JM_K3Fp4sgRswhuaAdlB2YPeuqpzsoI4MNKvJ3ljhWd2AOqIu5CRZBmOYMtU0l3QuUcQvSvB9lDR9R0VTfDpb2CfE5JsA2S-EJ002gfivBBL_MR3GeWsgps%3D">Nature Genetics</a>, the study identified a dozen genetic loci not previously known to be associated with Parkinson&#8217;s. In addition, it confirmed 66 other known loci associated with this incurable neurodegenerative disease. It also found that some variants were associated with risk across all the populations studied.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-importance-of-diversity-in-research">The Importance of Diversity in Research</h2>



This study is a reminder of the need to include more diverse populations in research, and it also highlights the potential for 23andMe to do just that. The study identified four novel gene regions associated with Parkinson&#8217;s that have different effects on different populations — in this case, people of European, East Asian, Latin American, and African ancestry.&nbsp;



However, even though this was a multi-ancestry study, there was far more data from people of European ancestry. In addition, the smaller numbers of people from non-European populations in the study meant that some of the ancestry-specific findings failed to reach statistical significance. According to the researchers, this highlights the need for more data from non-European populations to fully power this kind of research.



By including diverse populations in research, it ensures that scientists can identify population-specific genetic variations that may play a role in a disease like Parkinson&#8217;s. There is currently no other study cohort with the scale and diversity of 23andMe, which has millions of participants from diverse backgrounds who are both engaged and consented to participate in a wide variety of genetic research. However, even with the diversity of its dataset, 23andMe continues to focus on encouraging more people of non-European ancestry to participate not just in our research but the research of our collaborators.



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



The study is one of many different projects 23andMe has engaged in since launching its Parkinson’s disease research program in 2009.&nbsp;



Just this week, in another collaboration between 23andMe and the NIH, researchers <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41531-023-00608-8#Sec5">published a study</a> analyzing about 1,000 rare variants previously associated with Parkinson’s disease. Published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41531-023-00608-8#Sec5">Nature</a>, the paper included data from more than three million people that included about 30,000 individuals with Parkinson’s. The study was noteworthy not so much for identifying rare variants but for determining that many of these variants previously identified as associated with the disease may not in fact play a role in Parkinson’s afterall.  The study did however confirm the strong association between variants in the LRR2 and GBA1 genes and Parkinson’s.



23andMe scientists study many conditions and traits, but research into Parkinson&#8217;s disease is particularly important because of our long-term commitment to studying this condition, which affects <a href="https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/statistics">about a million people in the United States alone</a>.&nbsp;



Parkinson&#8217;s is the second most common neurodegenerative condition behind Alzheimer&#8217;s disease. Parkinson&#8217;s disease leads to a loss of nerve cells in the part of the brain that controls movement. As a result, there are a range of symptoms among those with the condition, and it also progresses differently within people. Symptoms include motor problems, such as tremors, stiffness of the muscles, and slow movements, as well as non-motor symptoms, such as problems with low blood pressure on standing, constipation, or sleep disturbances.



Our Parkinson&#8217;s disease research was one of the first disease-specific “deep dive” research projects 23andMe undertook, and it offered a model for other disease research. In the last 14 years, our Parkinson&#8217;s research efforts have reached several milestones, and that wouldn&#8217;t have been possible without our research participants or the vital assistance of our collaborators at <a href="https://www.michaeljfox.org/">The Michael J. Fox Foundation</a>.&nbsp;



We currently have more than 30,000 people with Parkinson&#8217;s disease who have consented to participate in our Parkinson&#8217;s research, and another 500,000 people without Parkinson&#8217;s disease who are also participating in our research efforts. Those participants have helped 23andMe scientists and our collaborators complete work leading to 30 published papers, including ten since 2020 alone. These studies have also identified almost 100 new genetic variants associated with Parkinson&#8217;s disease.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-from-lrrk2-nbsp">Learning from LRRK2&nbsp;</h2>



23andMe researchers are currently studying non-genetic traits that may help in diagnosing Parkinson&#8217;s disease earlier, as well as identifying <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/604033v1">putative causal risk factors</a> that influence the age of onset of the illness.&nbsp;



Our scientists are also learning more about how to characterize different types of Parkinson&#8217;s; for example, we are currently studying the LRRK2 G2019S founder mutation, which is the most common cause of “genetic” Parkinson&#8217;s. Our LRRK2 cohort is three times the size of the next largest research cohort of people with this condition. Known as the Parkinson&#8217;s Impact Project, or PIP, our researchers are learning a lot from this study.&nbsp;



For example, people with this LRRK2 variant tend to see a slower disease progression with fewer non-motor symptoms. They&#8217;re also much more likely to be of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, which relates to the history of the LRRK2 G2019S founder mutation history. It is thought to have originated from a Berber founder from North Africa more than 5,000 years ago, and later flowed into the Jewish community that eventually migrated into central Europe.&nbsp;



This study also highlights another aspect of our research. Differences in the symptoms suggest that different map areas of the brain may be less affected in LRRK2 Parkinson&#8217;s disease. This will help researchers distinguish the various subtypes of Parkinson&#8217;s disease.



For instance, individuals with the LRRK2 variant 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. This symptom includes acting out of dreams during sleep. RBD is much more common in people with idiopathic Parkinson&#8217;s disease, or Parkinson&#8217;s that is caused by some unknown cause rather than by genetics. Loss of smell is also a symptom of Parkinson&#8217;s disease, but people with LRRK2 G2019S have lower rates of loss of smell. In addition, people with LRRK2-associated Parkinson&#8217;s have fewer cognition issues.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Data like this helps inform scientists about the disease and its progression, and can inform the prognosis. 23andMe scientists are working on ways to better identify people at risk of Parkinson&#8217;s and better understand how the disease may manifest and progress in those individuals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-research">Ongoing Research</h2>



<a href="https://www.23andme.com/pd/">23andMe&#8217;s Parkinson&#8217;s disease research program</a> is unique in that it allows for continued engagement with participants. Scientists are better able to track changes and understand the progression of Parkinson&#8217;s. Having people who are engaged in this research over time also allows our scientists to nimbly add new dimensions to their investigations into this disease.&nbsp;



For example, one of our postdoctoral fellows, Keaton Stagaman, recently completed a small-scale pilot study in collaboration with The Michael J. Fox Foundation, looking at the <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/parkinsons-disease-and-the-microbiome">gut and oral microbiomes of people with Parkinson&#8217;s</a>. It turned out to be the largest single study to test the relationship between the oral and gut microbiomes in Parkinson&#8217;s disease.&nbsp;



Another common symptom of Parkinson&#8217;s is intestinal problems, such as constipation. Over the last few years, much focus has been on the <a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/news/events/4-fast-facts-about-the-gutbrain-connection">gut-brain connection</a> and its relationship with disease. Our researchers wanted to understand whether the gut microbiome might play a vital role in the pathological onset of Parkinson&#8217;s disease. Our researchers are still digging through this data and plan to follow up with a much larger study later this year, including healthy controls.



We will eventually publish our research findings on this study and others, and share that information with our research participants. Finding better early-detection methods may be critical in modifying the impact of this neurodegenerative disease. Earlier intervention could help prevent the loss of neurons and stave off the worsening of symptoms, for instance. Understanding how Parkinson&#8217;s disease manifests and progresses among different people is also important.



None of this work would be possible without those individuals — both with Parkinson’s disease and those who do not have it — who’ve consented to participate in 23andMe research.



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

Large Study on Parkinson’s Disease Includes Understudied Populations

Analyses of large genotyped and phenotyped datasets can provide valuable information for therapeutic development and research. Many sizable genetic research data sets have been used for this purpose, such as the UK Biobank, the Million Veterans Project, and the NIH&#8217;s All of Us.



What is unique about 23andMe&#8217;s approach is that we have data at a scale that significantly exceeds many other entities. The size of our data increases our ability to detect disease associations with a given genotype and identify individuals with unique genomic composition for participation in additional research opportunities.



Early results from a <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/searching-for-unique-genes">pilot project 23andMe launched this year</a> inspired us to look deeper into our Research Cohort at the gene MAP3K15, where previous research found a loss of function variant that protects people against developing type 2 diabetes.



If someone has a loss of function variant, for example, the MAP3K15 loss of function variant, and they are healthy, it tells scientists that turning off that gene could be safe. Knowing that a loss of function variant is not deleterious is incredibly important for drug development. Understanding this helps not just with target validation but with potentially de-risking and safety concerns around developing therapeutics that might turn off the expression of that gene.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="703" height="443" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/image.png" alt="" class="wp-image-32464" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/image.png 703w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/image-300x189.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 703px) 100vw, 703px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-insights-into-map3k15">Unique Insights into MAP3K15</h2>



Our researchers wanted to see if the size of the 23andMe database could enable additional insight into the metabolic role of MAP3K15 that might not have been discoverable in other datasets. The findings from this work was recently published on the <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.01.09.24301012v1">preprint server MedRxiv</a>.



For this study we performed various genetic analyses for MAP3K15 to see what we could learn from the &gt;11 million consented customers in the 23andMe Research Cohort. In addition to confirming the protective effect for diabetes, analysis of our database resulted in several new insights for MAP3K15 loss of function (LoF):



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>MAP3K15 LoF is associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure&nbsp;</li>



<li>MAP3K15 LoF is associated with a decreased risk of high cholesterol</li>



<li>Among individuals determined to be at a high genetic risk for type 2 diabetes, those who also have MAP3K15 LoF show a potential 4.5-year delay in the median age of disease onset compared to non-carriers</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetics-driven-recruitment">Genetics-driven Recruitment</h2>



We wanted to know if we could establish a recruitment capability to obtain clinical laboratory evidence for the new MAP3K15 findings from genetic analyses of the 23andMe database. Because we have a very, very large number of people who have consented to participate in this additional level of research, we could readily identify potential research participants of interest with the protective MAP3K15 loss of function variant.



In this study, we were particularly interested in clinical lab values related to participant blood pressure and high cholesterol in individuals with or without a particular loss of function variant in MAP3K15. To obtain these lab values and biobank blood samples from consented participants, we set up a research protocol to recruit participants nationwide to answer survey questions and participate in a blood draw. This protocol was reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board (an independent ethical and regulatory review board) to ensure protection for the rights and welfare of our study participants.



Results from this pilot study enabled us to find evidence supporting our database findings, including elevated systolic blood pressure, reduced cholesterol levels, and lower LDL/HDL ratio in 23andMe participants with the protective variant compared to controls without the variant.



<div style="float: right; text-align: justified; width: 400px; background-color: #eee; padding: 15px; margin-left: 10px;">Research Opportunities Based on Your Unreported Genetics

The participants in this study represent a group of our research participants who&#8217;ve gone through an additional layer of consent.

For this research, our research participants have opted-in to being contacted by our researchers about research opportunities based on genetic information not included in their 23andMe reports.

These research opportunities might be related to specific conditions for which we do not yet have a report. Those who agree to participate and who are contacted for specific studies may only learn about the condition being studied but not the specific variant.

Like all our research, participants must opt in to be included, and those currently participating can change their minds and then opt out at any time.

Learn more <a href="https://therapeutics.23andme.com/collaborations/">here</a>.</div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-driven-discoveries">DNA-Driven Discoveries</h2>



This recruitment capability opens a whole host of capabilities for researchers. Dubbed &#8220;The DNA-Driven Discoveries Study,&#8221; this genetics-driven recruitment approach could potentially inform drug target safety concerns, improve patient selection and efficacy in clinical trials while also helping to identify hard-to-find drug targets, rare genetic variants and even reveal more about the underlying biology of certain conditions.



&#8220;I&#8217;m not aware of any other entity out there with this capability and scale,&#8221; said Jen Brady, Ph.D., a senior scientist in 23andMe&#8217;s Therapeutics division who helped lead the study. &#8220;We&#8217;re leveraging the discovery power of what is the world&#8217;s largest re-contactable genetic database. 



Our (DNA-Driven Discoveries) study allows 23andMe scientists to recontact consented individuals based on genetic variants they may have but do not know about. Contacting these individuals based on their genetics is a key capability for 23andMe. It could help inform drug discovery efforts for 23andMe and our collaborators, improve how we create genetic research hypotheses, and help us build an internal deeply-phenotyped biobank.&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-steps">Next Steps</h2>



We believe the ability to identify, recruit, and characterize research participants based on genetics unknown to them is a critical capability for 23andMe to inform drug development and genetics research.



Future studies using this method could enable similar recruitment and study designs for other conditions. They could also potentially help in clinical trials as we determine a drug’s efficacy and potential toxicity, modeling control and treatment arms. It may also help recruit family members, which could increase power for studying, especially rare variants that might run in families. We may also use this genetic-driven research to test the validity or interpretation of some self-reported data from research participants.&nbsp;



These <a href="https://therapeutics.23andme.com/our-platform/">DNA-driven discoveries</a> will improve our important work and may lead to important insights into the treatment and diagnosis of disease.&nbsp;



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

The Power of Scale in Drug Development

Fundamental, common humanity unites every person on the planet: DNA. Some use race and biology to explain what are, in reality, social and cultural differences between people. It’s a fact that we humans are genetically 99.5 percent identical.&nbsp;



23andMe is a brand that leads with science. We fundamentally believe that we are more alike than we are different. Understanding that ridding ourselves of socially constructed ‘isms’ — like racism or classism —frees everyone. When we step out of systems of “us” vs “them” and bear witness to the oppression of people everywhere, humanity takes center stage.&nbsp;



Isabel Wilkerson’s biographical New York Times best-selling book, Caste, inspired Ava DuVernay’s new film ORIGIN. As with the book, DuVernay’s moving film adaptation — starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Wilkerson — analyzes discrimination and the connections between American racism, Nazi persecution of Jews, and India&#8217;s caste system.&nbsp;



It is the 0.5 percent that makes us each genetically different from one another and has also bred hatred across the world.



23andMe believes that focusing on all that we share as humans, and celebrating what makes us unique, could bring the world together. So for the next 23 days of January, 23andMe will donate 100 seats daily, to the <a href="https://www.seat16.com/">Seat16 program</a> which has a goal of getting 10,000 young people around the country to see the new film, ORIGIN.



Everyone deserves a place in this world and we believe in focusing on the things we share in common. Above all else, we want the world to remember that we are all 100 percent human.



ORIGIN will be in select theaters starting on January 19, 2024. 23andMe CEO and Co-founder Anne Wojcicki helped produce the film. You can see the ORIGIN film trailer <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAweg5PaMuw">here.</a> 



#100PercentHuman <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C1VAohGvlEW/?img_index=2">#ORIGINFilm</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/seat16/">#Seat16</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/23andme/">#23andMe</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/unityindiversity/">#UnityInDiversity</a>

Origin and Our Common Humanity

You may use your FSA or HSA for 23andMe health offerings. Learn more today and get started. 
Here’s some good news if you’re among the millions of people in the United States with a healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Saving Account (HSA): 23andMe health offerings may be fully or partially eligible for <a href="https://www.23andme.com/fsa-hsa/">use of FSA or HSA dollars</a>. 
23andMe’s health offerings include health reports, features, and services that are part of <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/">23andMe Health + Ancestry Service</a>, <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ and <a href="https://www.23andme.com/total-health/">23andMe+ Total Health</a>.™ In addition, clinical lab tests and clinician fees coordinated through 23andMe are part of 23andMe’s health offerings. (See below for more detail on each of these services.)
<h2>IRS Changes to FSA and HSA in 2023 </h2>
Before diving into all that is eligible under 23andMe’s umbrella of offerings, knowing more about these flexible pre-tax spending accounts and what’s new is essential.
The IRS has significantly increased the amount of pre-tax income people can set aside in the two most common types of these accounts — Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Saving Accounts (HSA). Like retirement savings accounts that allow people to save money with pre-tax income, these accounts are also pre-tax but earmarked for medical expenses. You can find out more about the two types of accounts <a href="https://www.irs.gov/government-entities/federal-state-local-governments/where-can-i-learn-more-about-health-savings-accounts-hsa-and-health-reimbursement-arrangements-hra">here</a>.*
The IRS recently increased the amount people can set aside for both of these types of accounts; for instance, individuals can set aside up to $3,850 in pre-tax income for the HSA account, while families can set aside $7,750.*
You can use this money for all sorts of “qualified medical expenses,” from co-pays for doctor’s visits to prescription medications to glasses and sunscreen. 
Are 23andMe’s health offerings a qualified medical expense? Yes, they are. Not too long ago, the <a href="https://permalinks.23andme.com/pdf/IRS_PLR132576_18.pdf?_gl=1*1crr0o3*_ga*MTYzNzM2NzYyNy4xNjcwODY5Nzcy*_ga_G330GF3ZFF*MTcwMTcwMjIwNy4xMjUuMS4xNzAxNzAyMjY3LjAuMC4w">IRS ruled </a>that you can use FSA or HSA money for 23andMe’s health offerings.
<h2>23andMe Services That Are FSA/HSA Eligible</h2>
The Internal Revenue Service also ruled in 2019 that the health portion of the cost of the 23andMe Health + Ancestry Service may be eligible. Customers can use our<a href="https://www.23andme.com/fsa-hsa-eligibility/calculator/"> FSA/HSA calculator </a>to determine how much is eligible. 
In 2021, 23andMe introduced the 23andMe Health Service which is FSA &amp; HSA eligible and includes health predisposition reports**, carrier status reports**, and wellness reports. The 23andMe Health Service is only available on the <a href="https://fsastore.com/23andme-health-only-service/32162.html">FSA/HSA store</a> and on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/23andMe-Health-Service-Including-Predispositions/dp/B09JFV4Z95?maas=maas_adg_9355566F4DC6DBE77B3FBD8B090C0C24_afap_abs&amp;ref_=aa_maas&amp;tag=maas">Amazon’s FSA/HSA store</a>. 
Now much more of 23andMe’s health offerings are eligible. For instance, the annual membership fees for <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/">23andMe+ Premium</a> and <a href="https://www.23andme.com/total-health/">23andMe+ Total Health</a> may be eligible for reimbursement based upon the IRS’s reasoning in their 2019 ruling. <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/total-health/th-pdp-kit-1c9c1efa996d114d39464fcef61794cc" rel="attachment wp-att-32291"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-32291 alignnone" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/th-pdp-kit.1c9c1efa996d114d39464fcef61794cc.png" alt="" width="1176" height="966" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/th-pdp-kit.1c9c1efa996d114d39464fcef61794cc.png 1176w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/th-pdp-kit.1c9c1efa996d114d39464fcef61794cc-300x246.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/th-pdp-kit.1c9c1efa996d114d39464fcef61794cc-768x631.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/th-pdp-kit.1c9c1efa996d114d39464fcef61794cc-1024x841.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/th-pdp-kit.1c9c1efa996d114d39464fcef61794cc-880x723.png 880w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1176px) 100vw, 1176px" /></a>
 
Customers can use money from these accounts to cover such things as clinical lab tests and clinician fees coordinated through 23andMe and may also be able to apply funds from their FSA or HSA accounts to upgrade to 23andMe&#8217;s Health + Ancestry Service, 23andMe+ Premium, or 23andMe+ Total Health, which are considered eligible expenses. In addition, the IRS allows customers to use FSA/HSA funds for a portion (up to $189†) of the cost of the <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/">23andMe Health + Ancestry Service</a>.
<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-now-available-in-uk-at-boots-online/ha-kit-med_2x-7e3f651f61e3" rel="attachment wp-att-26768"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-26768 alignnone" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ha-kit-med_2x.7e3f651f61e3.jpg" alt="" width="552" height="286" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ha-kit-med_2x.7e3f651f61e3.jpg 552w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ha-kit-med_2x.7e3f651f61e3-300x155.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 552px) 100vw, 552px" /></a>
<h2>Learn More</h2>
If you are trying to determine what portion of your purchase, membership, or upgrade may be  eligible, the simplest way to figure out the likely eligible amounts would be to use our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/fsa-hsa-eligibility/calculator/">FSA/HSA calculator</a>. We also have more details on our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/fsa-hsa/">FSA/HSA page</a>. Additionally, you should always check with your specific FSA/HSA benefits coordinator and/or your tax professional for confirmation on the specific requirements for reimbursement, including eligibility, usage, procedures, and qualifications. To purchase the 23andMe Health Service visit <a href="https://fsastore.com/23andme-health-only-service/32162.html">the FSAStore</a>, or go to Amazon <a href="https://www.amazon.com/23andMe-Health-Service-Including-Predispositions/dp/B09JFV4Z95?maas=maas_adg_9355566F4DC6DBE77B3FBD8B090C0C24_afap_abs&amp;ref_=aa_maas&amp;tag=maas">here</a>. 
Still have questions? Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/360026466094">FSA &amp; HSA eligibility and 23andMe.</a>
Learn about all 23andMe has to offer <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/?bst=pff">here</a>. 


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


<h2>Note:</h2>
This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. 23andMe does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your specific FSA/HSA benefits coordinator and/or your tax professional for further information regarding the application of the tax laws and confirmation on the specific requirements for reimbursement, including eligibility, usage, procedures, and qualifications. 
*Check with your specific FSA/HSA benefits coordinator and/or your tax professional for confirmation on the specific requirements for reimbursement, including eligibility, usage, procedures, and qualifications. 
**The 23andMe PGS test includes health predisposition and carrier status reports. 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. 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. For important information and limitations regarding each genetic health risk and carrier status report, visit 23andme.com/test-info/.
†Based on the purchase price of $229. Check with your FSA/HSA administrator and/or your tax professional for specific requirements for individual eligibility and reimbursement. 


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Amazon-Thumbnail-HO-Kit-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-29342" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Amazon-Thumbnail-HO-Kit-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Amazon-Thumbnail-HO-Kit-150x150.png 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Amazon-Thumbnail-HO-Kit-300x300.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Amazon-Thumbnail-HO-Kit-768x768.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Amazon-Thumbnail-HO-Kit-880x880.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Amazon-Thumbnail-HO-Kit-1180x1180.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Amazon-Thumbnail-HO-Kit-271x271.png 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Amazon-Thumbnail-HO-Kit-372x372.png 372w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Amazon-Thumbnail-HO-Kit-574x574.png 574w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Amazon-Thumbnail-HO-Kit-980x980.png 980w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Amazon-Thumbnail-HO-Kit.png 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>

23andMe Health Offerings Are FSA & HSA Eligible

Our customers have redefined prevention for us over the years. Hundreds of them have written to us, telling stories of how they’ve become the hero of their health journey. 



We are continually so inspired by their stories we recently launched a new campaign called The Hero Gene that celebrates some of those customers in their own words.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kenzie-and-shannon-s-brca1-story">Kenzie and Shannon’s BRCA1 Story</h6>



Kenzie and her mom, Shannon, are closer than the average mother and daughter, sharing a love of traveling together and their favorite foods. Kenzie knew there was Ashkenazi Jewish heritage in her background, but with no family history of breast cancer, she did not think there was a need to get screening for BRCA variants. Through 23andMe’s BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk Report,* Kenzie learned she had a BRCA1 variant that put her at a greatly increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1011" height="1024" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/image0-1-1011x1024.jpeg" alt="Photos of Shannon recovering from cancer treatment with Kenzie at her side. Image in upper left was taken on Kenzie's 16th birthday." class="wp-image-31684" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/image0-1-1011x1024.jpeg 1011w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/image0-1-296x300.jpeg 296w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/image0-1-768x778.jpeg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/image0-1-869x880.jpeg 869w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/image0-1-1165x1180.jpeg 1165w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/image0-1.jpeg 1170w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1011px) 100vw, 1011px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photos of Shannon recovering from cancer treatment with Kenzie at her side. Image in upper left was taken on Kenzie&#8217;s 16th birthday.</figcaption></figure>



Women with one of these variants have a <a href="https://www.23andme.com/brca">45-85 percent chance</a> of developing breast cancer and up to a 46 percent chance of developing ovarian cancer by age 70. One of her first thoughts was, “Could my mom have cancer and not know it?” 



Kenzie immediately knew she had to call her mom.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Mom, I have this gene, and I think you need to get tested.” 



Shannon made an appointment with her oncologist, where she shared the news about Kenzie’s report.  The oncologist referred her to a genetic counselor, who immediately set Shannon up for genetic testing. In addition, the genetic counselor suggested Kenzie talk to her doctor right away for follow-up testing.  After doing so, both were able to take steps to minimize their risks. While Kenzie is opting to go for a less aggressive route of frequent scans and discussing family planning options, Shannon (a cancer survivor) decided to go ahead with preventative surgeries to lower her risk of developing BRCA-associated cancers.  



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="683" height="1024" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_3604-683x1024.jpeg" alt="A phot of Kenzie and her mom Shannon." class="wp-image-31685" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_3604-683x1024.jpeg 683w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_3604-200x300.jpeg 200w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_3604-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_3604-587x880.jpeg 587w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_3604-787x1180.jpeg 787w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_3604-scaled.jpeg 1707w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kenzie, left, with her mom Shannon.</figcaption></figure>



The experience has taught both women how important it is to educate themselves about their health risks, to be proactive about their well-being, and to advocate for themselves to ensure they get the care they need.&nbsp;



“Kenzie’s test and me being able to find out that I was BRCA positive was lifesaving,” said Shannon.&nbsp;



As they prepare to share another holiday together, closer than ever, Kenzie couldn’t help but beam when talking about Shannon, “I&#8217;m really proud of my mom, she&#8217;s taken her health into her hands. Her life is the most important thing to me. She wanted to show me that she will survive.”



<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">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI6nxWiqpGE
</div></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-melissa-s-f5-story">Melissa’s F5 Story</h6>



Melissa developed symptoms of a pulmonary embolism (PE), a blood clot in the lung, after a cross-country flight from Washington to Boston for a nurses conference. As a nurse, Melissa knew her symptoms weren&#8217;t typical but knowing she had an increased likelihood to develop harmful blood clots based on a factor V Leiden variant found by her 23andMe Hereditary Thrombophilia Genetic Health Risk report* prompted her to go to the ER before taking a return flight home.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="698" height="931" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Melissa-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-32365" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Melissa-2.jpg 698w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Melissa-2-225x300.jpg 225w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Melissa-2-660x880.jpg 660w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 698px) 100vw, 698px" /></figure>



Trusting her nurse’s instinct, she pushed to get evaluated a PE. 



“I am not typically … insistent, but I was really insistent on this. I am absolutely sure it&#8217;s going to happen again and I may not have another chance. And I wasn&#8217;t willing to take that chance again.” They confirmed via a blood test and CAT scan that she had developed a PE.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="698" height="931" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Melissa-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-32364" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Melissa-1.jpg 698w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Melissa-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Melissa-1-660x880.jpg 660w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 698px) 100vw, 698px" /></figure>



She began taking a blood thinner right away so she could fly home. Melissa credits her knowledge of the gene with empowering her to take her health into her own hands, which means even more this time of year.  “My family is sacred to me. It truly is all that matters. I would not have been able to meet my new granddaughter. I truly believe I’m here because of 23andMe. Because I was aware of that gene, and my doctors were aware of that gene, that continues to save my life.”



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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zLbFwbXH7c
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<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-which-gene-could-empower-you">Which gene could empower you?</h6>



As we’ve heard from these and so many more customers, prevention doesn’t have to be a burden. In fact, it shouldn’t be a burden. Prevention is about advocating for yourself, and your health, so you can continue to live an incredible life for you, your family and friends. That starts with genetic insights that could lead to early detection. We hope you find your customer story. Your gene or genes that empower you, inspire you, help you and that could potentially save your life at the time you need the information most. #prevention



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<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-note">Note</h6>



*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&nbsp; 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. 



<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. 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 23andme.com/test-info.&nbsp;

Your Hero Gene

Sit back and listen to 23andMe CEO and Co-Founder <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-anne-wojcicki-among-the-best-ceos-for-women">Anne Wojcicki, </a>along with 23andMe board member and founder of 23andMe Therapeutics division <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/richard-scheller-named-to-national-academy-of-medicine">Richard Scheller</a>, speak to Roelof Botha of Sequoia Capital about the company&#8217;s critical moments in history.



Botha, who is also on the 23andMe Board of Directors, discusses how the company weathered early criticism, even at its founding in 2006, from the 2013 FDA letter that ordered 23andMe to stop selling health testing products to customers to downturns in consumer interest.



The episode is part of a series called <a href="https://www.cruciblemoments.com/episodes/23andme" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Crucible Moments,</a> produced by Sequoia Capital. In this series, Roelof explores moments in every start-up business journey in which a company can succeed or fail. How a company responds often defines its future.



Listen to <a href="https://www.cruciblemoments.com/episodes/23andme">Anne&#8217;s Crucible Moments</a> and learn a little about <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-turns-16">23andMe&#8217;s history</a>.

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