Humanity has a long history of realisations on how to take good care of one’s health. As the medical industry continues to evolve, more lives are being saved due to more advanced treatments available.
Even though genetic testing, mostly known as DNA tests, is not a treatment, it can help anyone learn more about a person. The pieces of information can be something that a person in question does not know about themselves.
If you still have doubts about whether or not you should get genetic testing, knowing the pros and cons might help you decide.
The Pros And Cons Of Getting A Genetic Testing
The Pros
1. Early Prevention
The genetic testing results can give you an overview of your health and determine early signs that can lead to further problems. For example, if one of your grandparents died of colon cancer and you worry whether you have inherited this disease, you may consider getting a colon cancer test.
A colon cancer test is a cancer testing procedure that allows anyone to know if they can develop cancer in the future. People who have relatives who suffered, survived and died from cancer are highly encouraged to get one.
2. Determine Suitable Treatment
Doctors can provide more accurate diagnoses and recommend a suitable treatment for your condition if they have more data about you. Medical records might have some details but can outnumber the data collected from your genetic testing results.
3. Can Determine Parenthood
As you have seen in the movies, genetic testing can help anyone determine the biological parent of a child. By getting blood samples or cheek swabs, they can know if both parties are related to one another.
The Cons
1. Can Cause Stress
Experiencing stress can only happen while waiting for genetic testing results. Uncertainty about what the outcome may look like can cause anyone to feel stress. After all, there will be an invisible tension that is going to build up among the family members if the genetic testing results they want do not happen.
2. Gene Products Can Be Unstable
Another downside of getting a genetic test is that the data might not be 100% accurate since tissue samples can be unstable due to various reasons. If you plan to get genetic testing, you should rely on an expert with years of experience to rest assured you will receive accurate results.
3. Genetic Tests Can Be Costly
A simple genetic test can cost around S$100 to S$2000, and this estimated price range may change depending on which facility you get genetic testing.
Conclusion
It is your choice whether or not you should get genetic testing. If you don’t feel like now is the time, there is always tomorrow for you to think about it. Getting genetic testing will only be worth your time, effort, and money if you are ready. For now, try to process everything you have learned so you can weigh your options and make an informed decision.
Contact Guardant Health AMEA at +65 63056523/+65 63056520 (Landline) or +65 8940 0360 (WhatsApp) or leave a message on their website to learn more about genetic testing and blood test for cancer. With their years of experience in the genetic testing industry, you can rest assured that you and anyone in your family are in good hands.
