There are many different types of genetic testing available today. Some of the genetic testing offerings screen you for ancestry and some for genetic traits. From a health standpoint, the most important type of genetic testing is screening you for specific variants that could increase your risk of developing cancer or heart disease in your lifetime.
The screening testing we offer evaluates if you are a carrier of 147 variants that could increase your risk of developing cancer or heart disease in your lifetime. These genes are well established in the medical literature and have actionable medical intervention guidelines. This means that if you test positive for any of these gene variants, there are medical recommendations for how often you need screening tests to check if you are developing signs of illness.
This genetic testing is very important because if you are a carrier of one of the variants that increase your risk of cancer, then you may need more screening testing to make sure you keep your good health for as long as possible. For example, if you have a gene that increases your risk of developing colon polyps, you may need to have a colonoscopy every 2-3 years instead of the standard recommendation of every 10 years to prevent you from developing colon cancer.
Our testing is performed with a small collection of your saliva into a test tube. It is sent to the laboratory and takes about 14-21 days to receive your results. Your results could help determine if you have an increased risk of developing cancer or heart disease in your lifetime and therefore is very powerful information to have about your health. If you have a strong family history of cancer or heart disease, or if you do not know your family history, this testing can be particularly important for your longevity.
If you are interested in learning more about our genetic testing, book a free consultation call with Dr. Heidi Millard, MD to start your health screening today!
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