How Genetic Testing Fits into Preventive Medicine: A Guide for Richmond, BC Patients

Genetic testing gets a lot of attention, and it is easy to see why. The idea that a single sample could say something about your future health is appealing. In practice, a genetic report is one piece of information among many. It is most useful when it is ordered for a clear reason, interpreted by a physician who knows your history, and followed by a sensible plan.

This article explains the main types of genetic testing used in preventive medicine, what they can tell you, and just as importantly, what they cannot.

Three Different Things People Mean by 'Genetic Testing'

The phrase covers several quite different tests. It helps to separate them:

• Hereditary risk testing looks for inherited variants that are associated with higher chances of certain conditions, such as some cancers or inherited cholesterol and heart conditions.
• Pharmacogenomics (PGx) looks at genes involved in how your body processes certain medications.
• Epigenetic or biological-age testing looks at chemical markers on DNA that change over time. This is an area of active research, and results are better seen as a conversation starter rather than a clinical verdict.

Each answers a different question, and each has its own limits. A report that bundles all three can be useful, but only if you understand which part is which.

Hereditary Risk: What a Result Can Tell You

Some conditions run in families because of a single inherited variant. When a variant of this kind is found, it can change the conversation about screening: when to start, how often, and which tests to use. For example, people with certain inherited variants may be advised to begin screening earlier than average-risk guidelines suggest.

A few things are worth knowing:

• Family history matters. A detailed family history, covering who was affected, with what condition, and at what age, is often as informative as a test, and it helps decide whether testing makes sense at all.
• A positive result is not a diagnosis. It usually means a higher likelihood, not certainty. Many people with a variant never develop the condition.
• A negative result is not a clean bill of health. Most cases of common conditions are not caused by a single inherited variant, and a test only looks for the variants it was designed to find.
• Results can matter for relatives. An inherited variant may have implications for siblings, children, and other family members, which is worth thinking about before you test.

Pharmacogenomics: How Your Body Handles Medications

People respond to the same medication differently. Part of that difference comes from genes that influence how quickly a drug is broken down or how it is used in the body. Pharmacogenomic testing looks at some of those genes.

The practical value is usually in the future. A result may be kept on file and referred to when you are prescribed certain medications later, which can help your physician think about dose or choice of drug. It does not predict every side effect, and it does not apply to every medication. Many factors still matter, including age, kidney and liver function, other medications, and what you eat and drink.

PGx results are a reference tool for you and your physician. They are not instructions to change or stop a medication on your own. If you are taking prescribed medications, please talk with your doctor before making any change.

What Genetic Tests Cannot Tell You

It is easy to expect more from a report than it can deliver. Genetic testing generally cannot:

• Tell you whether or when you will develop a particular condition.
• Replace routine screening, blood pressure and blood sugar checks, or a physical examination.
• Account for lifestyle, environment, and other health factors that interact with your genes.
• Provide a final answer for every variant. Some results are labelled 'uncertain significance', meaning science has not yet determined what they mean. Interpretations can also be updated as research develops.

There can also be emotional and practical considerations. Learning about a risk can bring worry, and some people prefer not to know. Canada has a federal law, the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act, that limits how genetic test results can be required by others, such as insurers and employers. It is worth reading about before you test, and your physician can point you to reliable sources.

Where Testing Fits in Ongoing Care

Genetic information is most helpful when it sits inside a longer relationship with a family physician. A doctor who knows your history can tell you whether testing is likely to be useful, help you interpret a result in context, and connect it to the things that generally matter most for day-to-day health: regular check-ups, appropriate screening, blood pressure, cholesterol, sleep, activity, and nutrition. If a result raises a question that needs more attention, a family physician can also arrange referrals to specialists.

At MMC Wellness in Richmond, genetic testing is offered alongside self-pay health examinations, where findings can be reviewed together with your history and other results. For people who want help keeping the pieces connected over time, our health management membership adds care coordination and value-added services on top of MSP-covered care. It does not replace a family doctor.

Questions to Ask Before You Test

• What specific question am I hoping this test will answer?
• What will I do differently if the result is positive, negative, or uncertain?
• Does my family history suggest a particular type of test would be more useful?
• Who will explain the results to me, and what follow-up will be available?
• How might the result affect my relatives, and have I thought about whether to share it?
• What are my options if I decide to wait?

These questions often matter more than the test itself. For some people, the right answer will be to test. For others, it will be to keep a close eye on family history and stay current with routine screening.

Book a Consultation

If you are wondering whether genetic testing could be useful for you or your family, a conversation is a good place to start. You can reach our Richmond clinic by phone at 604-629-8968, or contact us to ask about testing options, how results are reviewed, or the health management membership. Please contact us to confirm availability and details. This article is general information and is not a substitute for personal medical advice.