Predictive Genetics
Helps doctors to anticipate a disease and therefore prevent it or minimise its effects
Genetics and Prevention
Most of the diseases of adult life (diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, osteoporosis, heart disease, cancer, dementia, stroke, etc.) fall under the concept of complex and multifunctional diseases, characterised by multiple genetic defects in different regions of the human genome, which, given certain environmental conditions, make us more susceptible to disease.
These pathologies are one of the main causes of illness and death in the world, causing disability and significant social and health care costs. Due to the interaction between genes and the environment, complex diseases can be prevented by acting on environmental factors with an appropriate prevention plan.
Knowledge of the genes involved in the development of these diseases allows us to make certain predictions about the risks, susceptibilities or resistances to developing them.
What is Genetic Risk?
The term susceptibility, genetic predisposition, or also genetic risk for a certain disease, is defined as the presence of certain variations in the DNA sequence and/or the combination of a series of them in an individual. These variations are not necessarily abnormal, but an increased risk of developing a certain disease can be associated with them.
In other words, a person has inherited a copy of a "problem" gene from their parents which, although not a causative agent, does make the person more susceptible to developing a disease. If the environmental conditions are right and the interaction with the "problem" gene occurs, so will the disease.
An individual’s family history represents an important factor in estimating their risk or susceptibility to developing a certain disease. If a parent has a certain disease, it does not necessarily mean that their child will suffer from it, therefore the risk can only be estimated and not calculatedAn individual’s family history represents an important factor in estimating their risk or susceptibility to developing a certain disease. If a parent has a certain disease, it does not necessarily mean that their child will suffer from it, therefore the risk can only be estimated and not calculated
What facts in a person’s family history make them more susceptible to a certain pathology?
- Having two or more relatives with a certain disease.
- Having a family member with a disease diagnosed before the age of 55.
- Having a family member who is diagnosed with a disease that does not often affect a particular sex (e.g., myocardial infarction in women).
- The presence of two or more diseases in a family (e.g., diabetes and cardiovascular disease).
Genetic panels available
EuroEspes has various genetic panels that allow for an individual’s genetic risk or genetic predisposition of developing certain diseases to be determined. They can be carried out by means of a kit sent to your home or at the EuroEspes Medical Centre.
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