According to the National Cancer Institute, each year mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are linked to over 20,000 cases of breast cancer in the United States. Known mutations in these two genes increase the likelihood by five-fold that an...
Depressive illnesses may run in families, and people may inherit a vulnerability or tendency toward developing depression, but despite decades of scientific investigation, researchers still do not have absolute proof that people are born with a...
With the advent of new testing methodologies and increased availability of tests thanks to direct-to-consumer genetics companies and the Internet, more people are able to access a wide range of genetic tests. Although these tests can provide...
Genetic tests are done either to diagnose genetic disorders or identify risks associated with developing a disease. Testing problems range from the accuracy of the genetic tests and oversight of the testing labs, to the growing market for...
The availability of genetic testing has boomed recently. Consumers can now order genetic tests via the Internet without a doctor's involvement. Although these tests are designed to help people by providing more information about their health...
Due to recent discoveries of new genes and the development of new testing methodologies, the availability of genetic testing has increased dramatically. Several companies now offer direct-to-consumer genetic testing through which individuals can...
In the last 30 years, many of advances in science and technology have created more personalized health care and consumer products. Genetic testing for disease risk allows you to gain information on vulnerability to inherited diseases. The testing...
The National Human Genome Research Institute reports that newborn screenings are the most widespread type of genetic testing. All states are required to screen for at least 21 disorders, but some states test for even more. The positive side to...
According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, "genetic testing" covers a wide variety of clinical and non-clinical tests and includes testing of DNA, RNA, and proteins. Breast cancer genetic tests use blood samples or tissue samples...
Newborn genetic screening is an effort to discover adverse genetic conditions in infants, according to the Genetics Department at the University of Utah. The existence of this program enables doctors to get ahead of the diseases by planning early...
The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that there will be 106,100 new cases of colon cancer in the United States in 2009. Information about colon cancer is often grouped with information about rectal cancer. The colon and the rectum are...
Gaining weight is the result of two primary factors --- eating too many calories and not exercising enough to burn them off. However, other factors can contribute to your being overweight or obese, conditions that affect 68 percent of Americans...
Parents often want reassurance that their child is normal before birth. Sometimes, they have specific concerns about genetic diseases that run in their families or that are related to advanced maternal age, such as Down syndrome. Fetal genetic...
All states in the U.S. offer newborn screening, which involves testing a small sample of a newborn's blood obtained for various genetic conditions. The number of conditions tested for varies from state to state, but new developments in testing...
People consider having genetic testing done for several reasons. People who have a family history of a genetic disease, couples planning to get pregnant and pregnant women concerned about genetic anomalies in their baby may all consider genetic...
Genetic testing can serve many different purposes, from diagnostic testing for symptomatic disease to predictive testing for diseases that won’t set in for years. When used properly and in the context of adequate informed consent, the...
It is possible to test a baby's DNA before birth. Known as prenatal genetic testing, this is generally performed when there is a family history of a genetic syndrome or features of a genetic syndrome have been during the pregnancy. Prenatal...
When prenatal screening identifies features of a genetic syndrome or there is a family history of genetic disease, a woman's health care provider may suggest prenatal genetic testing. Highly accurate, prenatal genetic testing can diagnose a baby's...
Human DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, contains the code for making you you. You receive half your DNA from your father and half from your mother. Scientists know certain patterns in DNA point to a greater risk for certain diseases or birth defects....
Parents-to-be usually receive the option of prenatal testing for genetic defects and genetic counseling to help decipher the results of these tests. Not all pregnant couples choose to undergo these tests, while some couples consider genetic...
DNA testing "can provide information for diagnosing, treating and preventing illness," according to the Mayo Clinic. Screenings can help find genetic disorders before the symptoms of the disorder occur, in adults and fetuses. A blood sample is...
A mutation in a person's DNA can cause a disruption in normal function. In some cases, the DNA mutation may not result in any symptoms until the patient has reached adulthood. According to the National Institutes of Health, "genetic tests are...
The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2009 more than 20,000 American women were diagnosed with, and over 14,000 women died from, ovarian cancer. Because of the difficulty in detecting ovarian cancer, this disease is known as a "silent...
You can have a doctor test your newborn to determine the concentration of sodium and chloride in your baby's sweat. This is the most commonly used screening procedure, and your doctor may recommend waiting until your baby is a few months old...
There are over 100 different strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), and 40 of these strains have the ability to infect the anogenital area. Of these, type 6 HPV is one of the more common strains. Infection with type 6 HPV can cause warts to...
Rett Syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects girls exclusively, is usually first noticed when your child is six to 18 months of age. The so-called early onset stage of Rett syndrome can be marked by signs and symptoms that include a...
Genetic diseases are caused by defects in genes, segments of DNA that govern specific characteristics in a person. Common genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis or Huntington's disease aren't always inherited, but may occur as a spontaneous...
Pierre Robin syndrome is a birth defect that affects as many as 1 in 8,500 newborns. The main characteristics of this condition are facial malformations. If your baby has Pierre Robin syndrome, he will have a small, underdeveloped jaw...
Breast cancer is the result of genetic mutations accumulating in breast tissue cells causing them to grow abnormally quickly. Sporadic mutations occur over the course of the patient's life, whereas inherited ones are passed on from the patient's...
What is the fit for life diet? Learn how to adjust your diet to fit your specific health and nutrition needs in this healthy shopping video.
Muscular dystrophy is a hereditary muscular disease that causes progressive muscle weakness. Get expert tips and advice on diagnosing and treating muscular dystrophy in this video.
