Getting to know genetic testing
Genes make us unique. At the same time, genes can tell us our health risks as certain diseases such as cancer, heart diseases and other genetic disorders can be passed on to us from those in our family.
Understanding such risks can help us prepare for disease prevention appropriately. Currently, medical genetics testing is available. It can decipher an individual’s genetic codes, thus letting us know beforehand the risks of diseases and allowing us to plan early to avoid the causing factors and prevent them from developing.
passed on from parents... risks of getting diseases unknowingly Genes An example that made headlines around the world was the case of Angelina Jolie (American actress).
cardiovascular diseases
cancer
liver cirrhosis due to excess iron/copper
diabetes
hereditary kidney failure
Her mother died of breast cancer at the age of
dementia
56
,
87 % 5 percent.
prompting her to undergo genetic testing for breast cancer genes, which revealed an She decided to have both breasts removed and thus reduced the risk of breast cancer to only
lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.
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