Key Takeaways
- DNA testing can help diagnose genetic conditions based on current symptoms, determine a person’s risk in advance, and assess if other family members may carry a genetic risk.
- Based on the results of your tests, DNA screenings can help you reduce your overall risk of developing certain health conditions.
- Genetic screenings are helpful, but are also just one part of the full picture influencing a person’s health.
Genetic screenings are starting to become more popular and common. Among adults in the U.S., 17 percent have had genetic testing done and an additional 52 percent are interested in having it done, according to a recent AP-NORC poll.
While some genetic screenings help to determine the risk for developing certain health conditions such as cancer or heart disease, there are other outcomes from testing that can give better insight into your overall health.
How genetic testing informs your health
Diagnosing current symptoms
If you are dealing with symptoms of a health condition that could be genetic, undergoing genetic testing can confirm whether you have that condition. Testing may confirm, for example, common conditions like hypercholesterolemia or more rare ones like Huntington’s disease.
Carrier testing
Genetics determines whether you can pass any particular gene on to future generations. For that reason, it can be worthwhile to undergo genetic testing to see if any current or future children might carry the risk of developing health conditions.
Risk for chronic conditions
Since our genes are linked to many risk factors for common conditions and diseases, knowing that risk can make a big difference in taking action to prevent it. Heart disease, stroke, and some cancers are influenced by genetic markers that make it more likely for certain people to develop those diseases.
The earlier you know you are at risk, the more steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing the disease – from lifestyle changes to medications.
Preventive testing
People who may have a family history of certain health conditions may want to know if they have a higher risk for developing that condition before they start to show symptoms. If you have genes that raise your risk of breast or colorectal cancer, for example, you and your healthcare providers can take steps to reduce that risk earlier in life.
While genetic screenings provide valuable insight into how our DNA influences our health, they are one tool in a toolbox of preventive measures we can take to reduce our risk of developing chronic health conditions and diseases. Diet, physical activity, alcohol and tobacco use, and personal health history also factor into how likely we are to develop those condition
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