What Is Genomic Testing?
Genomic testing analyzes information in your DNA to help identify genetic variations that may be relevant to inherited health risks, certain medical conditions, or how your body may respond to some medications.
Unlike many medical tests that evaluate what is happening at a particular point in time, genomic testing can provide information that may remain relevant throughout life. When considered together with personal health history, family history, and other clinical information, genomic insights can help physicians better understand an individual’s health and support more informed care decisions.
How Genomic Information Can Help
- Understand potential inherited risk:
Genomic information may help identify genetic factors associated with certain health conditions, sometimes before symptoms develop. - Support more personalized treatment decisions :
Genetic information may help physicians consider how an individual could respond to certain medications or therapies. - Information that can remain relevant over time:
Your DNA generally does not change, so genomic information may continue to inform future healthcare conversations as medical knowledge evolves.
Compliance-critical
Genomic testing is ordered by a physician based on an individual’s personal or family health history and considered as part of the broader clinical picture. Results should be reviewed with a qualified healthcare professional and should not be interpreted or acted upon independently.
Curious whether genomic testing may be relevant to your health history? It is a conversation worth having with your physician.
Common Questions About Genomic Testing
What is genomic testing?
Genomic testing looks at information in a person’s DNA to identify genetic variations that may be related to inherited health risks, certain medical conditions, or how the body may respond to some medications.
It gives physicians another source of information that can be considered together with medical history, family history, symptoms, and other clinical findings.
What is the difference between genetic testing and genomic testing?
Both involve studying DNA. Genetic testing may focus on a specific gene or inherited condition, while genomic testing can examine a broader range of genetic information.
The type of testing used depends on the clinical question the physician is trying to answer.
What can genomic testing tell you about your health?
Genomic testing may provide information about inherited health risks, genetic conditions, and how a person may respond to certain medications.
The results do not provide a complete picture of someone’s health and should be considered together with other clinical information.
Can genomic testing tell whether someone will develop a disease?
Not necessarily. A genetic variation may be associated with an increased risk for a condition, but having that variation does not always mean that the condition will develop.
Health is influenced by many factors, including genetics, lifestyle, environment, age, medical history, and other conditions.
Who may benefit from genomic testing?
A physician may consider genomic testing when a person’s personal health history, family history, symptoms, or other clinical information suggests that genetic information could be useful.
The decision to order testing should be made by the physician based on the individual’s clinical situation.
Does genomic information change over time?
A person’s DNA generally remains the same throughout life.
However, scientific knowledge continues to evolve, so the way a genetic finding is understood or used in healthcare may change as new evidence becomes available.
How should genomic test results be used in healthcare decisions?
Genomic results should be reviewed with a qualified healthcare professional.
A physician can consider the results together with medical history, family history, other test results, and the broader clinical picture before deciding whether any additional action is appropriate.