Hearing the word "cancer" or facing the uncertainty of hereditary conditions causes concern. However, current medical science allows us to change the approach: moving from passive concern to preventive action.
An advanced predictive DNA test is not a diagnostic tool, but a cutting-edge technology capable of reading your genetic map to reveal vulnerabilities. Knowing this information allows you, together with your doctor, to stay ahead of events.
Understanding your genes: Complex vulnerability vs. Hereditary vulnerability
To understand the impact of genetics on our health, we must distinguish two main pathways:
- Complex diseases (polygenic and multifactorial): Genetics is only part of the equation. This includes, for example, most oncological, cardiovascular, and metabolic vulnerabilities. Having a certain genetic risk does not guarantee developing the disease, as the influence of other factors, such as lifestyle, diet, and environment, are decisive.
- Hereditary diseases monogenic (dominant and recessive): Caused by alterations in a single gene. In recessive conditions, if you only inherit an altered copy from your parents, you act as a healthy "carrier". In contrast, in dominant conditions, inheriting a single altered copy is enough to be at risk of developing the pathology.
The role of sex chromosomes (X and Y)
Sex-linked inheritance presents particular dynamics depending on the affected chromosome.
The Y chromosome (exclusive to males) is transmitted directly from fathers to sons. Therefore, any variant or alteration in its genes passes linearly to male offspring.
On the other hand, in inheritance linked to the X chromosome, the dynamics change. For recessive inheritance pathologies linked to this chromosome, women (XX) need both copies affected to develop a condition, while men (XY) will develop it by simply carrying the altered variant (as occurs with hemophilia or colour blindness).
Hereditary cancers
The study of family genetics allows us to identify pathogenic variants linked to the development of hereditary cancers. We analyze fundamental markers for family health such as the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, as well as the PALB2 gene, which is crucial for DNA repair.
To go a step further, at tellmeGen we use the Ultra DNA test. Thanks to Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS 30x), we explore rare variants and mutations that escape conventional genotyping chips in maximum depth.
Complex cancer vulnerabilities and polygenic risk
Beyond hereditary mutations, we evaluate your polygenic risk to facilitate personalized medical prevention in key areas:
- Digestive system and glands: Colorectal cancer, pancreas, thyroid and oral cavity.
- Reproductive health: Prostate cancer, testicular and endometrial cancer.
- Dermatological health: Melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.
- Respiratory system: Lung cancer.
What should you do with this information?
- Personalised screening protocols: Knowing your vulnerability gives you arguments to start early check-ups (such as colonoscopies, mammograms) earlier than standard protocols dictate.
- Lifestyle modification: Controlling environmental factors (avoiding tobacco, strict sun protection, healthy eating, etc.) is your best shield to keep risk genes "silenced".
Genetic information is the most advanced form of health self-knowledge available to us. Don't leave your future to chance. Take the step with tellmeGen's Ultra Duo Pack (WGS 30x). Discover your compatibility as a couple, your carrier status, and take absolute control of your well-being.
