by Heather H
With the proliferation of DNA testing companies, such as 23andme and Ancestry.com, nearly everyone has heard of genetic testing. However, what most people don’t realize is that genetic testing can be a powerful tool in early identification of genetic illnesses.
By determining the diseases one is genetically predisposed to, individuals are able to seek early treatment and make natural, holistic lifestyle changes that make them less likely to contract the illnesses.
Before we dive into the long-term benefits of DNA testing, let’s take a step back to better understand the science behind it and its uses beyond simple genealogy.
What is Genetic Testing?
Genetic testing was developed to identify changes in the human genome (proteins, chromosomes, genes).
By analyzing changes or mutations in the genes we inherit from our parents, testing determines the likelihood that an individual carries, or may inherit a genetic disease. The type of genetic test suitable to you is dependent on the condition you or your doctor suspects.
In order to undergo genetic testing, a sample of blood, tissue, hair, skin or amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds a fetus) is required.
Genetic testing gives people the opportunity to become more educated on their personal health, particularly if they suspect a hereditary medical condition, or wish to identify their risk of future health issues.
What Genetic Testing Can Tell You About Your Health
Genetic testing provides a powerful look into your health and can help to identify potential or current risks. These may include:
- Cancer, such as breast and ovarian cancer
- Parkinson’s disease
- Celiac disease
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Heart disease
Reasons People Seek Out Genetic Testing
There are a number of reasons people undergo genetic testing. For example:
- People with a long family history of common or rare genetic disorders, or those showing symptoms undertake testing to corroborate their suspicions.
- Family members who have a hereditary disease may decide to be tested to confirm whether their condition was passed down to them, or if it occurred as a result of their environment. Results help to inform the probability that their condition could be passed down to current or future family members.
- Couples who have a history of genetic disease often wish to make an informed decision before starting a family. Undergoing genetic testing allows couples to establish the probability their condition will be passed down to their children.
- Parents who already have a child with a serious birth defect tend to undergo genetic testing to determine whether future children will also be affected by the same defect.
- For many diseases, genetic testing provides a precise diagnosis, and therefore can be used to determine exact treatment options for a disease.
How Genetic Testing Will Help You Save Money and Time in the Long Run
Preventing Disease
Aside from being used to confirm the presence of a disorder, genetic testing is also used to evaluate the possibility of developing a hereditary disease in the future.
Your results may prompt you to make more natural, holistic lifestyle choices, attend regular check-ups, and engage in other preventative methods in order to minimise your risk.
Pursuing Treatment
Once a disease or condition is identified through genetic testing, individuals can immediately begin to seek appropriate treatment, and begin management and monitoring options, which may lead to a more positive outcome.
For example, early cancer detection and subsequent treatment could increase your overall chance of survival.
Avoiding Unnecessary Medical Interventions
Genetic testing is a precise diagnostic tool that provides a positive or negative result.
A negative result dismisses the need for unnecessary tests and further checkups, thus saving you time and money in the long run.
Financially Planning for the Future
Early detection can lend itself to making important financial decisions, such as putting money aside to alleviate the burden of ongoing medical fees, and reassessing health benefits offered by your employer.
For example, you may wish to invest in flexible healthcare spending accounts, add supplemental life insurance, and increase your short and long term disability coverage.
Educating Family Members
The hereditary nature of many diseases identified by testing could prompt relatives to query their own health and how they may be affected by your diagnosis.
Informed Family Planning
Planning a family is a major life event, so genetic testing often makes decisions more clear-cut when considering pregnancy.
Not all carriers of gene mutation display symptoms of a disease, meaning they often go through life unaware of their condition. Complications often occur when they have children and pass on their condition.
Why Understanding Your Family Tree is Paramount
One of the backbones of understanding your genetic disorder susceptibility is knowing your family history. Having a foundation of medical history provides valuable insight into know how to properly plan for the future. However, there are times where gaps in the family tree can cause blind spots of medical history (for example, you’re unsure who your father is).
Getting a DNA paternity test is a helpful tool to confirm or rule out a suspected parent, thus enabling you to accurately gather medical history.
So, whether you are curious about your health or have a genuine concern, a genetic test can provide the answers you’re looking for. If you find that you are predisposed to an illness, you can make informed lifestyle choices and begin preventative measures that reduce your risk of activating the disease, or make it less severe. This ultimately will save you money and improve your quality of life, even if you the disease ultimately activates.
Alternatively, if you find that you are not predisposed to a disease, you can save yourself and your family lots of time, stress, and money spent on preventative measures.
(Heather H is an entrepreneur, marketer, and co-founder of DNA paternity company, Test Me DNA. Heather works in many different areas of the business. Heather loves working with others to piece together their family and helping people find ways to save money. In her free time, Heather is a passionate writer and enjoys learning new things.)
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