BRCAvantage™ from Quest Diagnostics to Make Medical Congress Debut at the 2013 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

MADISON, N.J., Dec. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services, announced that BRCAvantage™, a service-rich oncology offering designed to increase access to BRCA testing for at-risk patients and maximize the value of diagnostic insights to empower better health, will make its medical congress debut at the 2013 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium December 10-14, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, exhibit booth 230, San Antonio, Texas.

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BRCAvantage is a suite of four lab-developed genetic tests that identify mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are associated with increased risk of inherited breast and ovarian cancers. Quest's BRCAvantage offering facilitates access to third-party genetic counselors and pre-authorization support for patients seeking to expedite access to appropriate insurance-covered BRCA testing. Patients can submit a blood specimen for testing at Quest's more than 2,100 patient service centers located across the U.S., for geographic convenience unmatched by any other current BRCA test provider.

"Decoding Annie Parker" Director Joins Panel on Cancer and BRCA in the News and Pop Culture

Quest also announced that it is partnering with the Alamo Breast Cancer Symposium to co-host a panel discussion about "Cancer and BRCA in the News, Arts and Popular Culture." Elizabeth Cohen, Senior Medical Correspondent for CNN and author of "The Empowered Patient," will moderate a panel featuring Steve Bernstein, co-writer and director of the upcoming feature film "Decoding Annie Parker," which chronicles the discovery of the BRCA gene; Joanna Rudnick, director, whose Emmy Award-nominated documentary In the Family depicted her experiences and decisions after learning she has the BRCA1 mutation; Caitlin Brodnick, comedian and star of the docu-series Screw You Cancer on Glamour.com; and Dr. Sue Friedman, inherited breast cancer survivor, author and founder and executive director of FORCE, which is a leading advocacy voice for the hereditary breast and ovarian cancer community.

The panel theme was partly inspired by a Quest-commissioned national Harris Interactive Poll that surveyed over 1,400 U.S. adult women about their perceptions and understanding of BRCA testing for risk of inherited breast and ovarian cancers. Findings revealed that while 72% had never heard of BRCA testing, 58% would want to know if they carried high-risk gene mutations. Only 29% of those polled said they knew what a genetic counselor was. With inherited cancer and BRCA testing so widely depicted in the news, arts and popular culture, Quest hopes that the panel discussion will reveal actionable insight into the contradiction between high visibility and low awareness and understanding of the role of genetics in hereditary cancers.

This event will take place from 7:30pm – 9:30pm on Tuesday, December 10^th, in room 214, Concourse Level, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Light dinner fare and wine will be served at the event. Invitation is open, but seating is limited. For more information and to RSVP, visit bit.ly/IHKL9V.

About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics is the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services that patients and doctors need to make better healthcare decisions. The company offers the broadest access to diagnostic information services through its network of laboratories and patient service centers, and provides interpretive consultation through its extensive medical and scientific staff.  Quest Diagnostics is a pioneer in developing innovative diagnostic tests and advanced healthcare information technology solutions that help improve patient care. Additional information is available at QuestDiagnostics.com. Follow us at Facebook.com/QuestDiagnostics and Twitter.com/QuestDX.

Contact:
Wendy Bost
Quest Diagnostics
973-520-2800

SOURCE Quest Diagnostics