Why Genomic Testing is Essential to Personalized & Preventative Medicine

Genomic testing is a powerful tool that we use to help our patients on the path to optimal health. In fact, it’s an important part of our personalized and preventative medicine approach to healthcare. While traditional medicine typically applies the same treatments to all patients, using genomic testing allows us to get a full picture of the individual needs of our patients and move forward accordingly. This is all part of the personalized approach you’ll receive at Medical Transformation Center! Continue reading as we discuss why genomic testing is essential to personalized and preventative medicine.

What is Genomic Testing?

Genomic testing is the scientific analysis of a person’s genes, chromosomes and their function. It is often used to assess the risk of developing diseases and abnormalities. By taking a look at these genetic factors, we can use genomic testing to prevent, predict and manage common health problems.

Genomic testing helps us get a more complete picture of factors that contribute to your health that otherwise wouldn’t be obtainable through traditional medicine. For instance, it can help us determine the reason for the development of your health condition or how environmental or hereditary factors or medications are impacting your wellness.

Why Is It Important?

This type of testing serves as a non-invasive way to determine potential risk factors for particular diseases. Based on the results of these tests, we can sometimes identify and treat serious health concerns before you ever experience any symptoms.

You can think of genomic testing as a method of identifying contributing factors that aren’t visible. With the results of the tests, doctors can make better informed decisions about your treatment as you move forward. With tests for things like Genomic-Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), we can use techniques such as information matching to determine the best treatment plan for you, genetically-speaking.

With these factors in mind, you can begin taking actions to decrease your chances of developing a particular disease. Oftentimes these preventative changes can include diet and exercise. The results could also signal that you need to be tested earlier or more frequently to keep an eye on potential health concerns. Additionally, the information collected from testing can be used for making informed decisions about not just your own health but even that of your family members.

Insights Provided By Genomic Testing

Genomic testing examines the DNA responsible for the internal instructions used to carry out your body’s functions. Testing can reveal mutations, or changes, in your genes that can cause certain illnesses or diseases.

Diagnostic testing can be used to determine if the symptoms you are experiencing can be attributed to a disorder or help to predict the future onset of a health condition. For example, genomic testing can be used to confirm if you have a suspected condition like cystic fibrosis or Huntingtons’ disease or help you identify your risk of developing certain types of cancer.

Another insight genetic testing can provide is discovering carriers in your family tree. This can be extremely helpful for patients with a family history of certain diseases. By testing for genes commonly associated with genetic diseases and mutations it can be determined if you and your partner are carriers of that particular condition, which may be passed on to your children.

Genomic testing is an important foundational block in our personalized and preventive approach to health, helping us to better stay on top of your health from all angles. Learn more about genomic testing at Medical Transformation Center and contact us today to get started!