5 Life-Changing Reasons to Take a Genetic Screening Sooner Than Later!
A 2020 report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) tells a stark truth about the rising cancer incidents in India: over 1,413,316 new cases and 9,16,827 lives lost- a testament to what goes unseen and unspoken (1). According to this report, the number one killer is Breast Cancer. In 2022 alone, a woman in India died every 5 minutes due to breast cancer.
The 2022 report by FICCI and EY (2) presents even more concerning data, estimating India’s reported cancer cases at 19 to 20 lakh in 2022, with actual incidence thought to be 1.5 to 3 times higher than reported.
According to the Apollo ProHealth Report 2024 (3), India faces a critical health crisis, now considered the ‘cancer capital of the world,’ with cases emerging in Indians almost a decade younger than seen globally.
Yet, a simple step offers hope: Prevention and early detection can change lives. Awareness is the key. Be aware, and be prepared — after all, life is ours to cherish.
Modern cancer prevention is all about personalisation, and it starts with one powerful tool: genetic testing to understand your unique risk. The right genetic test is the essential first step in your prevention journey. Here’s why: 5 reasons you must take a preventive genetic test.
1. Health preservation is easier and more effective when you’re already healthy.
Chronic diseases like cancer don’t discriminate; they can affect anyone, young or old, often without warning or a family history. Early understanding of your genetic profile empowers you to address or mitigate the risks. Ignoring them won’t make them vanish.
It’s true — not every cancer is hereditary, and the odds may seem low. But for those at risk, having this knowledge can be life-changing. Just because past generations didn’t experience cancer doesn’t mean current lifestyle factors won’t trigger it. To know is to protect and honour the precious gift of life.
Did you know that over 85% of human diseases have genetic roots? Some genetic conditions progress quietly, showing no signs until too late, while others have a delayed onset. The key to uncovering these risks lies in looking deep into your DNA- where most answers about your health reside.
With this in mind, early awareness empowers us to choose wellness over illness for our families, reminding us that prevention is always better than cure.
Take breast cancer, for example. While global guidelines recommend starting regular screenings at age 40, recent data from the Health of the Nation Report 2024, by Appolo Prohealth suggests otherwise. Their analysis of nearly 150,000 health screenings conducted over five years found that 25% of breast cancer cases occurred in women under 40.
A clinical-grade genetic test enables early detection of various diseases, not just cancer, with some offering preventive interventions. Proactive steps, like lifestyle changes, are possible through comprehensive DNA analysis.
2. Genetic testing provides lifelong value from a single test.
Unlike other recommended health screenings, genetic testing is a one-time assessment of your DNA that provides insights into your lifetime risk factors.
Once a genetic risk is assessed, there’s no need to retake the test expecting changes in the original findings. However, as new insights emerge, your original data can be updated with a new report if supported by the provider, though policies and pricing may vary.
If someone in their 20s discovers an SNCA gene mutation linked to Late-onset Parkinson’s, they have 35–40 years for preventive action, potentially delaying or preventing the disease. Since the mutation doesn’t change for a lifetime, retesting isn’t needed. The key takeaway: diagnosing this at age 60 may limit the time for preventive strategies.
3. A clinical-grade genetic test offers baseline health information for a longer, healthier life.
If a clinical-grade genetic test is within reach, make it a priority for you and your family, it’s an essential first step in your wellness journey. Because the best time to preserve your health is before any signs of decline appear.
Routine health screenings are designed for early detection, not prevention. They provide a snapshot of your health at the time of testing, showing no risk unless your health has already begun to decline, leaving traces for routine checkups to detect.
A genetic test complements routine screenings, serving as a baseline to identify unique health risks. It enables more personalised, purposeful checkups guided by genetics rather than generalisations.
For example, a colonoscopy is crucial for the early detection of colon cancer, but without knowing the risk, few would proactively include it in regular checkups. Similarly, mammograms, even advanced 3-D tomosynthesis miss up to 50% of tumors in women with dense breast tissue. While technology improves daily, knowing your genetic predisposition to life-threatening diseases ensures a more thorough investigation beyond a single screening method
The bigger question is: how many diseases can realistically be screened individually, year after year, without guidance? A personalised approach, guided by genetic risk, offers a far more efficient and targeted solution.
However, not all genetic tests are suited for disease prevention. Many recreational tests offer general insights but lack the detail needed for actionable clinical guidance, often suggesting general healthy habits rather than targeted prevention — something that doesn’t necessarily require DNA analysis in my opinion.
4. Awareness brings responsibility: preparedness for the at-risk, and reassurance for the rest.
Some argue that knowing health risks can reduce quality of life by creating fear of disease. However, choosing not to know limits your options for change.
Think of it like navigating traffic in a busy city and you got to catch a flight on time: we use maps to avoid blocks and find better routes, even if they aren’t the primary options. Awareness provides similar guidance, offering proactive choices to improve health and mitigating the risk of getting stuck without options.
5. Awareness of your drug response may save your life in urgent medical situations.
Understanding an individual’s genetic response to medications can be life-saving in medical emergencies, a vital but still underutilized approach. This will become more common as clinical exome and genome sequencing become routine, as it already is in cancer care.
Consider the blood thinner Warfarin, one of the top 10 drugs linked to serious side effects yet a common name in the genetic reports. Studies have shown that approximately 75-80% of the Indian population carries the VKORC1–1639GG (rs9923231) genotype, which is linked to a higher warfarin dose requirement. (4)
Clinical management of Warfarin is challenging as people respond differently. It requires a careful balance and even small dose changes can have ill effects. If the blood gets too thin (high INR a.k.a International Normalised Ratio), it can lead to fatal bleeding, and if it’s too thick (low INR), it raises the risk of clots.
Another practical challenge is that genetic tests take 2–4 weeks to deliver results. In emergencies, doctors must rely on limited information, making decisions while patient safety remains at risk.
Having a preventive genetic test with drug responses is like keeping your valid ID handy, you’re prepared when the need arises, ensuring safer, more effective care when every second counts.
Even if a genetic test shows no elevated risk, continuing recommended screenings is wise to catch any unexpected diseases. Starting with a clinical-grade genetic test brings awareness, clarity, and confidence — offering a personalised, proactive step toward health and longevity.
Cheers,
Dhaneesh Jameson,
Co-founder, SugarStrings.ai