Genetic Testing and Counseling for free
Hellenic Association of Women with Breast Cancer “Alma Zois”, in collaboration with NCSR Demokritos, implements the "Genetic Testing and Counseling" program, which involves free genetic testing for women and men with breast cancer, members of the Association who meet specific criteria of the program.
Through the program, individuals who have already been diagnosed with breast cancer and meet criteria based on diagnosis, family history and treatment benefit, and do not meet prescription criteria, are given the opportunity to undergo free genetic testing in order to examine the genetic predisposition responsible for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
The Program is funded by the net proceeds of the Greece Race for the Cure®.
Benefits from Genetic Testing and Counseling Program
Through the program, Alma Zois' members:
- get informed about genetic testing and its importance
- if they meet certain criteria, they have a session with a genetics expert, during which a detailed history is taken
- have one-to-one sessions with a psychologist to explore their motivation and psychological state, and to assess how to manage the possible outcomes
- women or men who meet all the criteria undergo genetic testing free of charge
- after the announcement of the results they have a final meeting with the Association's psychologist
Through the program we manage to:
- Help women and men with breast cancer who meet the criteria for genetic testing to make the best possible decision for themselves (whether or not to have the test).
- Cover the cost of the examination.
- Help manage the test results and the emotions that usually follow a positive one.
- Provide counselling/support to both the individual and family members.
- Provide the opportunity to use the result for more targeted treatment options.
Genetic Counseling 2026
Genetic testing in patients-members of the Association diagnosed with breast cancer
Genetic testing is provided free of charge, upon selection, to members of the Association who meet certain criteria, as defined below.
It is clarified that, given that it is now possible to prescribe the genetic testing, the programme operates in a subsidiary capacity by covering members who do not meet the prescription criteria, but who nevertheless require genetic testing.
Selection criteria
- Triple negative breast cancer diagnosis after 45 years of age.
- Invasive breast cancer diagnosis after 45 and before 50 years of age.
- Metastatic breast cancer diagnosis, regardless of other criteria.
- Diagnosis of DCIS in women under 50 years of age.
- Women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, are uninsured and have a significant family history (at least two other cases of breast and/or ovarian cancer diagnosis from the same side of the family or who have had breast cancer themselves under the age of 45)
- Male breast cancer diagnosis
Applications for participation
Applications for participation from 26 January 2026 to 6 March 2026, Monday to Friday, 11am – 5pm, by phone to the Association’s social worker, Mrs. Korina Tsobanisaki, at 210 4180006 (ext. 19).
Please note
- Applications may be submitted by members of the Association who meet the above criteria.
- Selection will be based on the histopathological diagnoses of the individuals and their relatives (where available), family history and whether or not they have insurance coverage.
- A referral letter from the treating doctor is also required at the time of application.
- All diagnoses must be confirmed by the corresponding histological report.
- For those individuals who test positive in the genetic test will be given the opportunity to have 2 additional family members tested free of charge.
- Meeting the above criteria is a prerequisite for applying to the program but does not preclude the eligibility to participate in the program.
- All personal data, as well as the results of the genetic testing, will remain confidential.
About Genetic Testing and Counseling
What is genetic testing and why is it done?
The first step of genetic testing is to record a detailed family history (three-generation) in families with a background of breast/ovarian cancer or other types of cancer. Then, from a blood sample, is isolated the genetic material in which the genes are tested. The reason why genetic testing is done is to determine if there is a clear inheritance and genetic predisposition to certain types of malignancy. An important extension of screening is the dissemination of genetic information to its relatives (healthy/patients).
What does a positive result mean for a person who has already been diagnosed with breast cancer?
A positive result for a person who already has breast cancer means that:
- He or she has probably inherited this predisposition from his or her parents
- Has an additional important piece of information for his/her oncologist, such as receptors and HER2 respectively
- He or she probably has an increased chance of developing breast cancer in the other breast and perhaps in the ovaries (if female)
- May know, if he/she has children (or other relatives), which of them has inherited the particular predisposing variant and therefore should undergo more frequent screening/testing
- Has an important piece of information at his/her fingertips that can help him/her overcome the problem.
