International Journal of Tropical Medicine
ISSN: Online 1818-779XISSN: Print 1816-3319
Abstract
Genetic testing has revolutionized preventive health care by enabling the identification of individuals at risk for a wide array of hereditary and multi factorial diseases, allowing for tailored interventions that can delay or prevent disease onset. By analyzing DNA variations, genetic testing provides insights into conditions such as hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC), Lynch syndrome, familial hypercholesterolemia, Alzheimer’s disease and type 2 diabetes. The advent of advanced technologies like next‐generation sequencing (NGS) and genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) has significantly enhanced the precision, efficiency and accessibility of genetic testing, broadening its applications in clinical and public health contexts. These advancements have made it possible to transition from a reactive model of health care to a proactive one, where early detection leads to targeted surveillance, preventive therapies and personalized lifestyle interventions. For instance, BRCA mutation testing informs decisions about enhanced monitoring and risk‐reducing surgeries, while genetic screening for Lynch syndrome facilitates regular colonoscopic surveillance, significantly reducing cancer incidence and mortality. However, the integration of genetic testing into preventive health care frameworks faces critical challenges, including ethical concerns surrounding data privacy and genetic discrimination, disparities in access and the complexities of interpreting genetic results. The psychological impact of receiving genetic information, especially in cases with uncertain significance, further underscores the need for robust counseling services and bioinformatics tools to aid in decision‐making. Addressing these barriers through multidisciplinary collaboration, regulatory oversight and investment in equitable access to testing services is essential to harness the full potential of genetic testing. By expanding its reach and refining its integration into health care systems, genetic testing holds the promise of transforming health care into a more personalized, preventive and equitable domain, ultimately improving global health outcomes.
How to cite this article:
D. Vennela, Samina Mustafa Ausvi, Prashant Munjamkar, Janakiram Rao Boothpur and Ujwala Bhanarkar. The Role of Genetic Testing in Preventive Health Care.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.36478/makijtm.2024.4.167.171
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1816-3319/10.36478/makijtm.2024.4.167.171