Have you been thinking about learning more about your health through genetic testing? With tests now more accessible than ever, many people are taking steps to understand their inherited conditions and future risks. However, it’s important to know what a genetic test can and can’t tell you before making a purchase. Doing your research ahead of time can ensure the results you receive will be meaningful, accurate, and useful.
As the genetic testing marketplace grows, with options like LifeCell Diagnostics’ genetic tests, customers can feel empowered by asking the right questions before making a purchase decision. Read on to learn the 10 questions you should consider before opting for your next genetic test.
1. What Is the Purpose of a Genetic Test?
Genetic tests can be designed for many different reasons. Some test results show inherited disease risk; others offer carrier screening, ancestry information, medication responses, or wellness traits.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outlines four primary purposes of genetic testing: diagnosing diseases, estimating disease risk, guiding treatments, and determining genetic condition risks for family members.
2. How Accurate Are the Results?
Accuracy should be one of your top considerations when researching genetic tests. Will the laboratory performing the genetic analysis follow recognised quality standards? Has the genetic test been clinically validated? 2
Questions like these will help you understand how accurately a genetic test can identify changes to your genes and how those changes may or may not affect your health.
3. What Health Conditions Does the Test Cover?
Genetic tests can cover everything from one gene to hundreds or even thousands of genes. Before making a purchase decision:
- Find out which genes are analysed in the test
- Ask which conditions are covered
- Determine if the test focuses on disease risk, carrier status, or optimising your health
Just because a test covers more diseases doesn’t necessarily make it the best option for your healthcare goals. Your medical history, family history, and health goals should help determine which type of genetic test is right for you.
4. Will the Results Be Clinically Useful?
It’s important to understand that not every positive (or negative) genetic result will translate to a concrete treatment or prevention plan.
That’s why clinical utility is so important. Clinical utility means that your genetic test results can be used to help make decisions about your healthcare.
5. Is Genetic Counselling Available?
While genetic testing continues to advance, some genetic results can be difficult to interpret without the help of a professional.
That’s why the CDC recommends genetic counselling both before and after testing. Genetic counsellors can help explain your options for genetic testing, potential benefits, and limitations of genetic testing, as well as the results you receive.
Ask your genetic testing provider if genetic counselling is included in the price of your test or available for an additional fee.
6. How Will My Genetic Data Be Stored and Protected?
Your genetic data is extremely personal. Before buying a genetic test, know how the company will store your data, how it will be used, and who can access your information.
- Will your genetic data be shared with third parties?
- Can you request that your genetic information be deleted?
- How will your data be protected?
These are just a few questions you should consider when reviewing a testing company’s data storage and privacy policy. Researchers continue to raise concerns about genomic privacy.
7. What If I Receive Unexpected Results?
Let’s say you take a genetic test because you’re curious about your ancestry. A genetic test may turn up genetic markers that you didn’t expect to learn about based on your original testing reasons. Your genetic testing may reveal something that wasn’t what you originally ordered it for.
These surprising results are known as incidental findings or secondary findings. Talk to your genetic testing company about how they handle these situations. You can also check if you can elect to not receive certain information.
8. Is Genetic Testing Right for My Family History?
Your genetic test results will only be useful if they’re considered along with your personal health information and family history.
Using the knowledge of a healthcare professional or genetic counsellor, you can determine if genetic testing is right for you and which tests would be most beneficial. As per the CDC, knowing your family health history is important because it can give you and your healthcare provider information about your risk for certain diseases that run in your family.1
If you are considering taking a genetic test, such as LifeCell Diagnostics Test, it can be helpful to assess your family history first.
9. Do I Have Unrealistic Expectations about Genetic Testing?
While genetic tests can be powerful tools for predicting health risks, they’re not the only factor. Genetic tests don’t tell the full story about your future health.
For example, many diseases are triggered by multiple factors, including gene mutations, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices. If you test positive for a disease, it doesn’t guarantee you’ll develop the condition. And just because you test negative doesn’t mean you won’t get the disease.
10. How Will I Receive My Results?
For many at-home genetic tests, you can access your results online. Before you buy, consider whether you want to receive your genetic results as a downloadable report, emailed PDF, or through a genetic counselling session.
Thinking through how you want to receive your results ahead of time can help you have the best testing experience possible.
Conclusion
Genetic tests have the potential to provide incredible insights into inherited disease risks, family planning decisions, and steps you can take to optimise your health. However, buying a test without knowing the purpose, accuracy, and privacy policy can cause you more confusion.
When you review these 10 questions before opting for a genetic test, you put the power back in your hands. Take control of your genetic testing journey by considering what matters most to you and your healthcare goals.
