| Informational genetic testing is here and it is | | | | for colonoscopies as he gets older. |
| important. Sometimes called direct to consumer | | | | What is the outcome? Through knowledge coupled |
| genetic testing - is genetic testing that is intended to | | | | with diligence, these individuals can hopefully catch |
| provide an individual with information about the | | | | any potential cancer at the earliest possible stage |
| individual's genetic make-up. It is different than | | | | when it is both the easiest, least intrusive and least |
| medical genetic testing in that medical genetic testing | | | | expensive to treat. The test results have |
| is used by a physician or health care provider to | | | | empowered each of these individuals to proactively |
| assess, diagnose or treat a current medical condition. | | | | monitor their health in order to mitigate, to the |
| By contrast, informational genetic testing is intended | | | | extent currently possible, the risk of contracting |
| to allow individuals the opportunity to understand | | | | cancer. |
| their future health risk factors and take steps to | | | | Testing, by itself, is not a cure-all. The test results |
| mitigate or address those risk factors. | | | | must be coupled with active diligence in order to be |
| Informational genetic testing is frequently marketed | | | | productive. An individual test results that show he is |
| and sold directly to consumers. There are certain | | | | at higher than average risk for contracting heart |
| regulatory issues related to the FDA regulation of | | | | disease, for instance, must be proactive in reducing |
| medical devices that may make it difficult for | | | | and managing the other risk factors for heart disease |
| providers to offer their services through retail outlets | | | | - weight, smoking, high cholesterol, high blood |
| like pharmacies or grocery stores. As a result, the | | | | pressure - in order for the informational genetic test |
| service is primarily marketed on the internet. Many of | | | | information to be helpful. |
| the labs that offer informational genetic testing, | | | | Medical ethicists raise the concern about anxiety that |
| though, are fully certified and accredited labs that | | | | an individual may experience if the person's test |
| also provide medical genetic testing services to health | | | | results show that the person is at a higher than |
| care providers. | | | | average risk for contracting a disease for which |
| Informational genetic testing can be empowering to | | | | there is currently no cure - Parkinson's Disease or |
| individuals. It allows individuals to actively and | | | | Alzheimer's for instance. Even though the condition |
| proactively manage their health risks. Some examples: | | | | may currently be incurable today, the information |
| A test shows a 30-year-old woman that her | | | | may still be empowering. There are organizations that |
| genetic markers suggest that she has a higher than | | | | are actively raising money and awareness for each of |
| average likelihood of contracting breast cancer. | | | | these conditions. By knowing the higher risk factor |
| Knowing this information, she is empowered to | | | | now, the individual may be empowered to participate |
| conduct self-exams more frequently and pursue any | | | | in these organizations, raise money for research or |
| abnormality that she finds more aggressively than | | | | even change career paths to contribute to finding a |
| she might have otherwise. | | | | cure, potentially making a large contribution to both |
| A test shows a 42-year-old man that his genetic | | | | his or her own health and the community as a whole. |
| markers suggest that he has a higher than average | | | | You should understand and evaluate all of the issues |
| likelihood of contracting colon cancer. He doesn't | | | | surrounding informational genetic testing if you are |
| know of any family history of colon cancer so he has | | | | considering such testing for yourself. If it is right for |
| no other indicators of risk. Armed with this | | | | you, however, it can be empowering in the way in |
| information, however, he schedules a colonoscopy at | | | | which you manage your health for the rest of your |
| a younger age than he might have otherwise and is | | | | life. |
| strict about keeping to the recommended schedule | | | | |