The Early Detection Tests That Could Save Your Life

Posted on: 26 September 2019

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Millions of Australians suffer from chronic genetic diseases that they never had any way to avoid. For some people diseases are hereditary, and your DNA has decided what illnesses you are predisposed to before you were even born. This might sound like quite a pessimistic situation, but there are things that you can do to work from the front against any possible diseases. For just as DNA can condemn you to a disease, so it can also warn you about this increased risk. The best way to find out about these risks and more is to take a genetic screening test.

What Can Genetic Screening Reveal?

Genetic screening is the key to opening up the secrets of your family's medical history and vitally. It is important in finding out if you have a higher risk of certain diseases. You are made up of DNA, and each person's DNA is unique, but within your family, you share a lot of common traits. Genetic screening can, therefore, be used to pinpoint what diseases you are more likely to get, such as certain types of cancer, cystic fibrosis and many heart conditions. Many of these diseases are otherwise symptomless until they present themselves at the late stage when you cannot do anything about them. Thus genetic testing can quite literally save your life.

Is Genetic Screening Painful?

Since genetic screening reveals information about your DNA, it does need a DNA sample to work. However, this DNA sample is often taken from a swab of your saliva, a bit of hair or perhaps a small amount of blood (genetic testing through blood is most common for babies). These procedures are not really harmful at all, and often the most dangerous part of a genetic test is the stress you may have while waiting for the results. Just know that knowledge is power and even if your genetic tests reveal something negative, at least you will have the ability to fight the problem earlier than you would have otherwise.

How To Get A Genetic Test?

Often genetic tests are prescribed by a specialist to find out more about your medical history. If you are worried about your genetic history, you can always visit your local general practitioner (GP) to seek their opinion. Alternatively, there are many healthcare clinics that offer genetic screening, which you can book an appointment at. Some genetic screenings take longer than others and may cost more (depending on the amount of information you want), but often they cost as little as a few hundred dollars. 

Look for a clinic near you that offers genetic screening