Genetic Testing for Prostate Cancer

Understand Your Inherited Risk

Our comprehensive hereditary cancer panel identifies genetic variants linked to elevated prostate cancer risk, giving men and their families the insight needed to pursue smarter screening, earlier intervention, and informed treatment decisions.

Sharon Pollack, MS, CGC

This post was originally published in 2026, and last updated in August 2026.

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Why Genetic Testing Matters for Prostate Cancer

Having a first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer significantly increases a man’s risk of developing the disease.¹ When a genetic mutation is inherited, the risk to other relatives increases. Genetic testing identifies specific mutations responsible for elevated risk, so you can be proactive as opposed to waiting for symptoms.

Comprehensive Gene Panel

Screens 63 genes associated with hereditary prostate and related cancers in a single test. 1 in 8 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.² Genetic testing explains your inherited risk of developing the disease.

Precision Over Guesswork

A negative result means you have significantly lower risk of developing prostate cancer. A positive result (a mutation has been identified) enables you to talk to your genetic counselor and doctor about a personalized care plan.

Protect Your Family

Genetic mutations can be passed down to children.³ Testing today arms your family with knowledge that could be life-saving for the next generation.

Guide Treatment Decisions

For men already diagnosed, knowing your mutation status ddirectly influences your eligibility for certain treatments and clinical trials.⁴

Genetic Counseling Included

Every jscreen result comes with access to a board-certified genetic counselor who will walk you through your report in plain language, answer your questions, and coordinate care recommendations with your physician.

Who Should Consider Hereditary Prostate Cancer Testing?

Family History of Prostate Cancer

Men with a father, brother, or son diagnosed with prostate cancer, especially at age 60 or younger, have a significantly elevated inherited risk that warrants genetic evaluation.⁵

Ashkenazi Jewish Ancestry

Individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent carry BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations at a rate roughly ten times higher than the general population. These BRCA mutations also increase prostate cancer risk in men.⁶

**Known BRCA Variant in the Family**

If a close relative has already tested positive for a BRCA1, BRCA2, or other hereditary cancer mutations, male family members should strongly consider cascade testing to determine if they carry the same variant.⁷

Personal Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Men diagnosed with prostate cancer, particularly high grade or metastatic disease, may benefit from genetic testing to explore treatment options and inform screening recommendations for family members.⁷

Multiple People On the Same Side of the Family with Similar Cancer Types

Families with relatives diagnosed with prostate, breast, ovarian, or pancreatic cancer across multiple generations on the same side of the family can carry a hereditary syndrome, such as Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome (HBOC) or Lynch Syndrome.⁷

Proactive Risk Assessment

Even without a strong family history, many men elect genetic testing to be proactive about their health and understand their personal genetic risk of life-changing disease.

Key Genes Covered in Prostate Cancer Testing Panel

Our test analyzes the full spectrum of genes with clinically established links to hereditary prostate cancer risk.

Full gene list available here. Results reviewed by board-certified genetic counselors.

Gene

Disease

BRCA2

Gene highly associated with elevated risk for prostate cancer; carriers face 5-8x higher average lifetime risk⁸

BRCA1

Moderately elevated prostate cancer risk; highly significant risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer in women⁷

HOXB13

A prostate susceptibility gene with a specific variant known to significantly elevate early onset prostate cancer risk⁷

ATM

Linked to moderately elevated prostate cancer risk; particularly relevant for aggressive disease presentations⁷

MLH1

Associated with Lynch Syndrome, which results in an elevated risk of prostate cancer alongside colorectal and other cancers⁷

MSH2

A Lynch Syndrome gene strongly linked to prostate cancer risk, especially in families with colorectal cancer history⁷

PALB2

The exact increased risk for prostate cancer continues to be studied. This gene interacts with BRCA2 and may influence disease aggressiveness⁷

Simple, from Home to Results

jscreen is designed for accessibility. No clinic visit, waiting rooms, or needles – just a saliva sample from home.

Order Your Kit

Collect Your Sample

Provide a simple saliva sample at home, following the easy step-by-step instructions included in your kit.

Lab Analysis

Your sample is analyzed at a CLIA-accredited laboratory using advanced sequencing technology across the full gene panel.

Receive Results

Receive your results within 3 to 4 weeks. You can choose to schedule a complimentary consultation with a certified genetic counselor to review your findings.

Affordable Access for Everyone

jscreen is committed to making hereditary cancer testing financially accessible regardless of your insurance status.

Insurance Billing

Most commercial insurance plans cover hereditary cancer testing for individuals who meet criteria based on their racial or ethnic background, personal history, or family history. You will receive a personalized cost estimate from our lab partner. Your final cost depends on your family history and specific insurance plan. Our care navigators are here to help you work through the process and connect you with our financial assistance programs when needed.

Self-Pay Option

Prefer not to use insurance? jscreen offers a straightforward, competitive self- pay rate of $249, plus the upfront fee of $49, for a total of $298. This covers lab testing fees, physician review and test ordering, and access to our genetic counselors and care navigators throughout the testing process.

Knowledge Is Power. Get Tested Today.

Join tens of thousands of individuals who have taken a proactive step toward protecting their health and their family's future with hereditary cancer testing.

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References

Staples MP, Giles GG, McCredie MR, Apicella C, Hopper JL. Risk of prostate cancer associated with a family history in an era of rapid increase in prostate cancer diagnosis (Australia). Cancer Causes Control. 2003;14(3):263-268. doi:10.1023/a:1023073203467
American Cancer Society. Key statistics for prostate cancer. Cancer.org. Updated January 2026. Accessed June 2026. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
Cleveland Clinic. Genetic mutations in humans. Cleveland Clinic. Reviewed February 2, 2022. Accessed June 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23095-genetic-mutations-in-humans
Russo J, Giri VN. genetic testing and genetic counselling in prostate cancer. Nat Rev Urol. 2022;19(6):331-343. doi:10.1038/s41585-022-00580-7
American Cancer Society. Prostate cancer risk factors. Cancer.org. Accessed June 2026. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
Salami SS, Kaffenberger SD. genetic BRCA1/2 variants in Ashkenazi and non-Ashkenazi prostate cancer populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2023;26(1):12-19. doi:10.1038/s41391-022-00585-6
American Cancer Society. Genetic counseling and testing for prostate cancer risk. Cancer.org. Accessed June 2026. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/genetic-testing-and-counseling-for-prostate-cancer-risk.html
Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE). Cancer risk for people with a BRCA2 mutation. Facingourrisk.org. Accessed June 2026. https://www.facingourrisk.org/info/hereditary-cancer-and-genetic-testing/hereditary-cancer-genes-and-risk/genes-by-name/brca2/cancer-risk
Zuhlke KA, Reams CMR, McHugh AMR, et al. Identification of a novel NBN truncating mutation in a family with hereditary prostate cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat [published online ahead of print October 30, 2012]. doi:10.1007/s10549-012-2311-x