Preventive genomics involves the application of genetic and genomic knowledge to detect any dangers to health in advance of the onset of the disease, which makes possible the opportunity for screening, making necessary lifestyle changes, or intervening with medical treatment at an early stage. Rather than wait for a particular disease to develop, preventive genomics enables its actual prevention based on the analysis of one’s DNA.

Diagnostic genetic testing is usually performed in individuals who have developed some symptoms of the illness and aims at either confirmation or exclusion of a specific diagnosis. Preventive genomics is implemented in healthy people for detecting the existence of the hidden dangers to health, i.e. predisposition to cancer or heart disease.

Everyone who wants to know more about their personal risks concerning their health can benefit from preventive genomic testing; however, people who have a family history of cancer, heart disease, and other hereditary conditions, those who plan their future families, and people who want to be more proactive regarding their health are more likely to benefit from this method.

No. Although having a family history is important when considering testing, a large number of individuals with inherited risk factors do not have any known family cases of diseases. This may be due to the lack of testing of relatives or the fact that the condition is not recognized as hereditary.

The tests often include various hereditary cancers (such as breast, ovarian, and colon cancer) and cardiovascular diseases (such as familial hypercholesterolemia and cardiomyopathies), as well as other diseases with known hereditary susceptibility factors.

The tests often include various hereditary cancers (such as breast, ovarian, and colon cancer) and cardiovascular diseases (such as familial hypercholesterolemia and cardiomyopathies), as well as other diseases with known hereditary susceptibility factors.

It generally begins with a meeting to discuss your and your family’s medical background; after that, the sample is collected, be it saliva or blood, and the tested sample is studied at the lab. Finally, the doctor or genetic counselor discusses the results with you.

Not at all, because genomic preventive tests only involve the collection of saliva or blood, which is quick and painless.

This will depend on the type of test and the laboratory, but the standard turnaround time is somewhere between a week and a couple of weeks. Your healthcare provider will give you the exact timeframe after the test.

This varies from one test to another as well as by local laws. While some tests may be done without a doctor's order, others may need one. Our staff is available to assist you in choosing the correct path.

Most genomic tests do not require fasting or anything special done prior to testing. Your health care provider will be informing you if anything special applies to your tests.

Genetic testing for children is carried out with much caution and mainly for those cases where the early knowledge of the outcome can change the way patients are treated. Our genetic counselor will tell you whether it is possible to perform pediatric testing in your case.

There might be rare occasions when a sample does not generate enough DNA or sufficient quality to analyze that DNA. In these instances, it is standard practice for the lab to seek another sample without causing you any additional hassle.

Your results provide information indicating whether or not you possess genetic variants that are correlated with increased risks for certain health conditions. Nonetheless, a test result does not identify a diagnosis; it merely demonstrates the risks that can then assist you in using personalized prevention and management plans.

A positive result states that a genetic variant has been discovered and that it is considered likely that this variant causes the health condition associated with it. However, this result does not signify that you currently have the condition; it merely indicates that your risk level is higher than that of the average population.

A negative result states that during testing, no significant variants associated with certain risks have been identified. In some cases, this may indicate a decreased probability of hereditary risk; however, this does not imply that all risks have been eliminated, as not all genetic and environmental risk factors can be detected through the existing testing methods.

A variant of unknown significance (VUS) is a genetic variant discovered whose impact on a person’s health is not yet understood. This means that the variant can’t be classified as either harmful or safe there and then. Classification can be revised as research develops further.

Definitely! All the results that you receive are discussed with a genetic counselor or doctor who will help you understand what it means for you and the necessary steps to take.

The DNA itself remains unchanged but the interpretation of the variant may be made differently as new scientific knowledge becomes available. Trusted providers would reassess the data and inform you if something significant has changed.

The DNA itself remains unchanged but the interpretation of the variant may be made differently as new scientific knowledge becomes available. Trusted providers would reassess the data and inform you if something significant has changed.

It is not possible. Although a person whose test results are positive may face an increased likelihood of developing an illness, low results do not necessarily mean a person will never get ill.

If you display a hereditary risk variant, your immediate relatives (parents, brothers and sisters, and children) could share the same trait with you – there is even a 50 % chance that it may be true. We strongly suggest that the results of your genetic tests are discussed in your family and that they undergo testing.

Yes, it is absolutely possible. Carrier screening can help you and your partner discover whether both of you have recessive trait variants which can be passed to your offspring.

Negative results for a certain, specific inherited variant can be considered enough; it normally means that you will not pass that particular trait on to your children. Nevertheless, they may still be exposed to some other genetic and environmental risk factors.

Yes, it is totally ok and even recommended. We can assist in issuing the documentation required for your family members to understand the outcome of their tests.

Your genetic information is confidential and can only be viewed by your care team unless you give permission for someone else, for example a family member, to access it.

Many countries have laws forbidding the discrimination of employees based on genetic information but they do vary greatly from one country to another. Make sure to check with your care team.

Your data is secured with the use of secure encryption technologies that are compliant with various healthcare privacy acts and only authorized people can access the information.

There are different data retention and deletion policies depending on laws and regulations of medical record keeping. Consult with our staff about the available options based on your test location.

Your information will only be used for research if you give explicit agreement. Participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.

Yes, it is kept confidential, however the results are linked to your health record and can be accessed by your primary clinician. However, all information is thoroughly protected according to data confidentiality and security measures.

The cost will differ depending on which panel or test is ordered so it's best to contact us or your health insurance company for the exact price and coverage details.

Insurance coverage depends on the insurance firm, personal/family risk factors, and the governing regulations in your area. Our specialists are available to help you know your options and provide the necessary assistance in filling out your insurance documentation.

Many preventive genomics initiatives make use of remote sample collection kits and virtual counseling sessions. Reach out to our staff to know if that is an option available for you.

As your underlying DNA does not change, repeating the same tests is usually not required. However, we may recommend that, as science progresses, we occasionally go through the re-analysis of your data.

In most cases, the answer is yes. Our genetic specialists will be able to include third-party genetic testing results during the care plan process, although confirmatory tests might also be needed in some occasions.

The department consists of certified genetic counselors, clinical geneticists, and the physicians with training in the field of genomic data analysis.

Yes. Genetic tests do not account for every risk factor possible, as many diseases arise as a result of a mix of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. So, even if you receive "clear" results, you are still not guaranteed 100% good health.

Yes, it is a pretty normal reaction. Our genetic counselors are trained to help you cope emotionally throughout the whole testing process.

You can choose the information you get, as many testing programs let you avoid receiving results on specific conditions, particularly when those conditions cannot be prevented or treated effectively.

We want you to reach out to our department for an appointment. The expert will assess your medical history and your family’s medical history, and provide you with the right testing options accordingly.