The SMART Test® is the most advanced and comprehensive early anomaly and genetic screening. We have refined and adapted this test to ensure effective management of fetuses with early increased NT.
Nuchal translucency (NT) is the most powerful early indicator of a baby’s health.
Even when the NT improves, there is still about a 20% chance of an underlying condition.
Many people wrongly think that increased NT is linked only to Down syndrome.
While it’s much more common in women, men can also carry inherited risks and develop the disease.
The SMART Test® is an advanced, one-stop screening performed at 10 weeks of pregnancy. It combines the earliest detailed anomaly scan using state-of-the-art ultrasound with the most advanced non-invasive genetic blood test (NIPT).
SMART NT is a specialised, two-step version of the test designed for babies with increased NT. It also includes a targeted follow-up scan at 12–13 weeks to assess for structural anomalies linked to increased NT, such as serious heart defects.
This pathway is designed for pregnancies where an early increased NT has been identified. The SMART NT includes two detailed ultrasound scans — at 10 weeks and 12–13 weeks — together with an advanced non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT).
Step 1: A scan at 10 weeks, during which the nuchal translucency (NT) is measured using a specialised protocol. If the NT measures more than 2.5 mm, we recommend performing an extended NIPT panel (the preferred option is KNOVA NIPT).
Step 2: A follow-up scan at 12–13 weeks, performed by a clinician with specialised expertise in first-trimester anomalies and early fetal echocardiography. In most cases, the results of the extended NIPT are available by this time, allowing the two assessments to be reviewed together for a complete early evaluation.
The SMART Test® NT offers three key advantages over the traditional approach:
Early: Performed at 10 weeks rather than 12, providing the earliest possible insight into your baby’s health.
Comprehensive: Screens for a wide range of genetic syndromes and structural anomalies, especially heart defects, rather than focusing only on Down syndrome.
Non-invasive: Completely safe for both mother and baby, with no risk to the pregnancy.
By the time most parents are having their routine 12-week scan, the SMART Test® NT already provides both genetic and structural information about the baby with increased NT, offering valuable early reassurance or guidance.
Please note: SMART Test® NT is a screening test, not a diagnostic one. It cannot exclude all possible conditions, and any high-probability results should be confirmed by diagnostic testing.
No. Invasive diagnostic tests such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS) cannot be safely performed at 10 weeks. At this very early stage, the baby’s limbs are still forming, and inserting a needle or sampling instrument through the womb can sometimes interfere with their development. This may sometimes result in transverse limb defects - where part of an arm or leg, especially a hand or foot, is absent.
For this reason, CVS is only recommended from about 11 weeks of pregnancy, when the risk of such complications is no longer present. At 10 weeks, only non-invasive options such as advanced ultrasound and NIPT can be used safely.
If a fetus shows increased NT at 10 weeks, the usual approach in many healthcare systems (for example, in the UK’s NHS) is to wait for the routine first-trimester scan and Combined Screening Test (CST) at around 12 weeks. By that time, approximately 50% of babies will show improvement, with NT measuring below the 3.5 mm cut-off used in standard screening programmes. However, even in this group, around 20% may still have an underlying condition and can receive a high-chance CST result.
For fetuses with persistently increased NT and/or a high-chance CST result, diagnostic options such as CVS or amniocentesis become available, alternatively a basic NIPT may be offered that screens only for trisomies 21, 18, and 13. In some countries, private NIPT can be performed earlier, from 10 weeks, but standard NIPT screens only for common chromosomal conditions and misses many genetic syndromes and structural anomalies linked to increased NT.
Both of these traditional pathways - waiting for combined screening or performing standard NIPT - often lead to delayed and incomplete diagnosis. The SMART Test® NT protocol was created to address these limitations, providing an earlier, safer, and more comprehensive assessment for families worldwide.
No. There are some technological limitations with current genetic testing methods.
While the SMART Test® NT works well for most singleton pregnancies, including those conceived through IVF, it is not suitable for multiple pregnancies (twins or triplets), donor egg pregnancies, or cases of vanishing twin syndrome.
There are also certain maternal contraindications, such as malignancy, a history of bone marrow or organ transplantation, and a few other rare medical conditions.
The SMART Test® was developed and introduced in the early 2020s by Dr Fred Ushakov, Director of the London Pregnancy Clinic (LPC), London, UK.
Since its creation, both the ultrasound and NIPT components have been significantly enhanced, and LPC continues to refine and upgrade the test to ensure the highest level of accuracy and care.
SMART Test® is a registered trademark of LPC.
Disclaimer! The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is based on NHS recommendations. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider for advice on medical conditions or treatments.
We offer expert advice and testing for a range of genes that may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer.
View Full Gene List
At Jeen, genetic testing for breast cancer is available to anyone who wants to better understand their inherited risk, especially if you have a personal or family history of breast, ovarian, or related cancers.
You don’t need a referral, and there’s no strict checklist to meet. Even if you feel healthy, testing can reveal gene changes you wouldn’t otherwise know about. Our expert team will guide you through your eligibility during your consultation, helping you decide if testing is right for you.
Genetic testing for breast cancer is worth it because it gives you answers you can act on. Inherited gene changes can raise your risk, even without symptoms or a family history.
Knowing about them early means you can take steps to reduce that risk, from increased screening to prevention. With Jeen, you get results you can trust. It’s not just a test, it’s a way to take charge of your health and future.
Genetic testing for breast cancer looks for inherited changes, called mutations,in genes that can raise your risk. The most well-known are BRCA1 and BRCA2, which help repair DNA.
If they’re not working properly, your chance of developing breast or ovarian cancer goes up. At Jeen, we also test for other important genes like PALB2, CHEK2, and TP53. Finding these changes can help guide your screening, prevention, or treatment options.
You should consider genetic testing if you have a family history of breast, ovarian, or related cancers, especially if they were diagnosed at a young age. It’s also recommended if a relative has a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, or if multiple family members on one side have had cancer. At Jeen, our team helps you understand if testing is right for you. Even if your family history isn’t obvious, hidden risk can still be there, and testing brings clarity.
You should consider genetic testing for breast cancer if you notice any unusual lumps or changes in your breast tissue, or if breast or ovarian cancer runs in your family, especially if diagnosed under age 50 or affecting multiple relatives It’s also worth it if a close relative has a known BRCA mutation.
But you don’t need a strong family history to benefit from these tests. At Jeen, we offer at-home testing and expert support to help you decide the right time, whether you’re planning proactively or following up on your family history.
Jeen's at-home breast cancer tests are just as accurate as hospital-based ones. We work with accredited lab, Fulgent Genetics, that use advanced 50x DNA sequencing to spot inherited risks. You’ll also get expert support from our genetic counsellors, who guide you through your results clearly and compassionately : before, during and after testing. It’s trusted, clinical-grade care, all from the comfort of home.
Jeen’s breast cancer genetic testing is built for clinical accuracy. We use high-depth DNA sequencing to detect meaningful inherited changes, not just any variation. Every result is carefully reviewed by experts and clearly explained by our genetic counsellors, so you know exactly what it means for your health.
With trusted technology and personalised support, your results are accurate, reliable, and easy to understand from the comfort of home.
In the UK, most people are invited for NHS breast screening every three years from age 50 to 53 until one turns 71. But if you have a higher genetic risk like a BRCA mutation, you may need annual screening, starting earlier. That’s where genetic testing comes in. It helps uncover inherited risks so your screening plan can be personalised, not one-size-fits-all. With the right insight, you can take steps to protect your health sooner.
Breast cancer genetic testing is available on the NHS if you meet certain criteria like a strong family history. Your GP or specialist can refer you to a genetic counselling service, but NHS testing may be limited to key genes and involve longer wait times.
Private genetic testing, like Jeen’s, is available without referral, offers broader gene panels, and delivers faster results. We provide clear pricing and expert guidance, so you can take control without delay.
Jeen’s genetic testing for breast cancer is priced at £660. This all-inclusive cost covers your at-home DNA kit, lab analysis using high-depth 50x sequencing, and a personalised consultation with one of our expert genetic counsellors.
The test analyses 50 carefully chosen genes, each backed by strong scientific evidence linked to prostate cancer risk. You’ll get accurate insights into your inherited risk and support to help you decide on next steps with no extra charges or referrals needed.
Our team of experts is here to help. We're just a message away.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet conse ctetur adip iscing elit justo quis odio sit sit ac port titor sit males dolor sit consectur dolor.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet conse ctetur adip iscing elit justo quis odio sit sit ac port titor sit males dolor sit consectur dolor.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet conse ctetur adip iscing elit justo quis odio sit sit ac port titor sit males dolor sit consectur dolor.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet conse ctetur adip iscing elit justo quis odio sit sit ac port titor sit males dolor sit consectur dolor.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet conse ctetur adip iscing elit justo quis odio sit sit ac port titor sit males dolor sit consectur dolor.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet conse ctetur adip iscing elit justo quis odio sit sit ac port titor sit males dolor sit consectur dolor.
