Do You Know Your Family History? Genetic Testing Can Help

By the time most young adults reach college, they know a fair amount about their family history. They usually know how their grandparents met, where their parents were born, and a fair amount about their extended aunts, cousins, and uncles. But when it comes to their family’s health history, they’re usually less informed.

As they start attending doctor’s appointments on their own, they might not have all the answers to questions about what cancers affected which relatives or whether genetic conditions run in the family. The more they move into adulthood, the more important it is to be armed with facts about their family health history, as it can potentially provide a blueprint for their own future. A history of breast cancer, for example, can cause doctors to be more vigilant and pursue earlier screenings.

But even a comprehensive knowledge of one’s family history doesn’t provide all the information about potential health risks. Certain recessive conditions can remain hidden for generations, and people who are carriers for genetic illness are often perfectly healthy. 

One of the most valuable tools to shed light on one’s family health story is genetic testing. Hereditary cancer screenings can identify certain genetic mutations associated with increased risk of breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, and other cancers. While these mutations don’t automatically mean an individual or their family members will develop cancer, it is important information that can help guide healthcare plans and lead to changes in lifestyle habits.

Carrier screening is another important component of genetic testing that can identify whether one is capable of having a child with a genetic illness. If both parents are carriers for the same disease, the chances are much more likely to pass on the illness to a child. Knowing one’s genetic profile can bring a greater peace of mind, as well as provide an opportunity for alternate family planning methods to decrease the risk of illness.

Family health history can help inform college student’s future healthcare decisions. Photo Credit: Element5 Digital

The first few years of college are full of change, learning, and coming into adulthood. This makes it an ideal time for students to start learning about their family health history and taking steps to gain a more complete picture of their genetic profiles.

“Young adults and college students can take proactive steps to protect their health,” said Dr. Matt Goldstein, MD, PhD, CEO of jscreen.org. “Genetic testing gives people knowledge that can help them make informed medical decisions long before health problems arise, for themselves and for future generations.”

As a physician-scientist focused on advancing genetic research and a father who’s lost a child to genetic illness, Dr. Goldstein has a vested interest in promoting the use of genetic screening as a preventive health tool. As CEO of jscreen.org, the national nonprofit public health initiative, Dr. Goldstein has been instrumental in running awareness campaigns and screening events on college campuses across the country. For him, the work is not only a tribute to his daughter Havi, but a mission to make sure other families can make informed decisions about their genetic health.

Dr. Matt Goldstein, CEO of jscreen.org and genetic testing advocate

While genetic testing is still a relatively recent development in the medical field, it’s come a long way to becoming more affordable and accessible to all. No longer do individuals have to pay thousands of dollars seeking out specialists to perform a test; now, it’s as simple as ordering a test kit online, mailing it in, and waiting for the results. Some testing companies even offer a session with a genetic counselor who will explain the results and guide individuals on what to do next.

As students begin their journey, there’s no better time to start thinking about their health and the health of their future families. The earlier one embraces tools like genetic testing, the sooner they can start taking charge of their health, both now and in the years to come.