The field of personalized medicine is rapidly advancing. New capabilities in genomics-based technologies are guiding physicians toward therapies and screening regimens that are tailored to their patients’ individual genetics and disease risk. Yet, many people don’t know they have an important role in leveraging personalized medicine to benefit their health. Armed with knowledge about their genetics, patients can help physicians make better decisions about their treatment options.
For many patients, gaining knowledge about their genetic risk often begins with a conversation with their parents or siblings. While we all know common traits are passed down through family lineage, many people don’t think about how their family history can impact their health. As doctors have more new ways to use genetic testing to assess risk or treat disease, it’s increasingly important to talk to your family about their health history, as it may provide the signal to investigate further with genetic testing.
While this may not be your standard holiday topic of conversation, understanding your medical heritage could open doors to better health and wellness. Additionally, what you learn may become even more valuable as research and tailored treatments continue to advance. If you aren’t sure about where to start the conversation, consider the following areas in which family history and genetic testing is helping doctors and their patients make more informed decisions.
Cardiovascular Disease
With genomic advancements, physicians are able to better predict and prevent heart attacks and strokes. When a physician has a patient’s genetic information, they can pick a course of therapy and medication best suited for the patient and recommend changes to diet and lifestyle that will complement the treatment. Genetic assessments, combined with assessment of lifestyle risk factors, can help those with a family history of cardiovascular disease determine if they are at greater risk for future health complications, plus provide steps they can take to lower their risk.
[See: 17 Ways Heart Health Varies in Women and Men.]
Alzheimer’s Disease
Genetics play a big role in how the brain ages, and one of the greatest risks for Alzheimer’s disease is family history. Experts who offer personalized recommendations on how to slow brain aging and delay or prevent neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, are becoming increasingly available. For example, the specialists at NorthShore University HealthSystem’s Center for Brain Health can identify an individual’s unique set of risk factors for developing Alzheimer’s, based on DNA, daily habits, current state of health and family history. If the evaluation determines that an individual has an elevated probability for developing Alzheimer’s or a related disorder, specialists can provide insight about those risks and recommend personalized interventions.
[See: 5 Ways to Cope With Mild Cognitive Impairment.]
Hereditary Cancers (Breast, Prostate, Ovarian and Colorectal)
To prevent or treat some hereditary cancers, taking a patient’s full family health history is critical. When there is a strong history of breast, ovarian, pancreatic, colon or prostate cancer, physicians may take a different approach to screening and managemen, which can be influenced by genetic information. For instance, mutations in the BRCA genes are well-known genetic variants that can predispose a person to cancers that include breast, ovarian and prostate.
When physicians have genetic and family information, they can guide patients on more precise prevention recommendations and treatment decisions. Genetic factors and family history can help inform when a man should be screened for prostate cancer, or when a biopsy to check for prostate cancer is a good idea. It can guide decisions on when a woman should start her mammogram screening and whether additional screening with an MRI is warranted. When cancer is detected, testing of the cancer’s genetic make-up can help doctors determine whether immediate treatment is necessary and the types of interventions that are likely to be most effective.
[See: 8 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Colon Cancer.]
Diabetes
Many patients are unaware there are more than two types of diabetes. Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young, or MODY, often goes undiagnosed or is misdiagnosed. There are 13 genes identified to cause MODY, and people with the first three of these genes are able to receive targeted treatments that improve their quality of life and daily management of the disease. It’s also critical to understand that MODY is inherited — 50 percent of those with MODY pass it down to their children. Just one diagnosis in a family can make a big impact, and genetic testing can help to illuminate the best path forward.
Medication Response
If members of your family have had a poor response to certain medications, it may be the result of a genetic variation. It’s now possible to look for these variations in order to predict how people are likely to respond to common medications, such as blood thinners, pain relievers and antidepressants. While not a crystal ball, it can help narrow the choices and help get the right medication the first time.
Make a point to discuss health history with your family this holiday season. With new information being discovered every day about the role of genetics, you may get a clue signaling that now is the time to talk to your doctor.
Peter Hulick, MD, is head of personalized medicine at NorthShore University HealthSystem. NorthShore, located just outside Chicago in Evanston, Illinois, has one of the most comprehensive personalized medicine programs in the country.
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Genetic Testing: Reason to Gather Your Family Health History originally appeared on usnews.com
