Genetic Testing

HealthStone Primary Care Partners

Family Medicine Practice & Hormone Replacement Specialists located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Advancements in genetic testing allows you to gain access to in-depth information about how your body functions and your risk levels for various types of disease. Gilbert Weiner, DO, of HealthStone Primary Care Partners offers comprehensive, compassionate genetic testing services to residents of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Learn more during a face-to-face consultation, which you can request online or over the phone.

954-764-8911

Genetic Testing Q & A

What is genetic testing?

Genetic testing is a type of medical testing that looks for changes in your genes, chromosomes, or proteins. There are various types of genetic tests that create results used in different ways. There are currently more than 1,000 different genetic tests in use and many more in development.

Pharmacogenetic testing, or PGx testing, is used to predict how your body is likely to respond to certain medications. These tests can help determine if a given medication is likely to create an adverse reaction or if a drug has a high likelihood of enhancing your treatment path.

Not everyone needs this type of genetic testing. However, if you have a chronic health condition that requires precise drug therapy, PGx testing can help your medical team customize your medications to create optimal outcomes. The test itself requires only a quick and painless cheek swab and is not invasive.

Can genetic testing reveal my risk of cancer?

A group of genetic tests called cancer genomics, or CGx screenings, look for inherited changes in your genes. These genetic variants aren’t always harmful, and many are actually beneficial or neutral.

Genetic testing looks for markers that suggest an elevated risk of developing cancer. Researchers have identified genes linked to certain cancers and also know which variants of those genes suggest an elevated risk of cancer.

A well-known example is the BRCA genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2. Researchers know that women who have certain mutations in either of these genes have an elevated risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.

How do I know if genetic testing is the right choice for me?

It’s important to understand that genetic testing isn’t right for everyone. While the results of these tests can show an increased risk level for cancer, that certainly doesn’t mean that everyone who shows a specific mutation will end up developing cancer.

When it comes to BRCA testing, the best way to decide if this option is right for you is to examine your personal and family health history. If you’ve had a previous cancer diagnosis or have family members who have experienced cancer, then testing might be important for your health care planning.

However, some men and women find the stress associated with genetic testing to be harmful to their emotional health. If knowing more about your risk levels through a simple cheek swab will prompt positive lifestyle changes, then testing is a good option. If that information will only make you worry or focus on your risk in an unhealthy way, then testing might not be right for you.

Request an appointment online or by phone today to explore genetic testing in more detail and decide if these tools are a good fit with your needs.

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