Photo: Barbara Sotolongo, Ph.D., ASCP, and Rosa Ysla, MT-AMT, review BRCA1 and BRCA2 results on an Illumina HiSeq4000 Next-Generation Sequencing System at CBS Labs in Miami.

Cystic Fibrosis Screening
Cystic Fibrosis is a commonly inherited disease. With a simple blood test, prospective parents can determine if they are carriers of this disease. Carrier screening for men and women who are considering pregnancy is now available at CBS Labs. 

Will My Baby Be Healthy?
With just one tube of blood, the “verify® by CBS” test screens for common chromosome conditions including Down syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau syndrome. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the International Society of Prenatal Diagnosis have stated that tests like “verify® by CBS” are an acceptable screening option for all pregnant women. 

BRCA1 and BRCA2  
A woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer is greatly increased if she inherits a harmful mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. About 12 percent of women in the general population will develop breast cancer sometime during their lives. For women who have a harmful mutation, that number rises to 45 to 65 percent, according to recent studies. A genetic test for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations is now available at CBS Labs. Women who have breast cancer and women who have a close relative with a BRCA mutation are candidates for this testing. And don’t forget, men can develop breast cancer too! Breast Cancer Awareness Month is right around the corner. Let your friends know that BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing is available locally at CBS Labs. 

CBS Labs, which is celebrating 15 years of service to the South Florida community, offers next-generation sequencing using the most advanced technology available. For more information, visit www.CBSLaboratory.com.