Posts Tagged Genetic Testing
Teen Pregnancy Prevention: Can You Help?
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on May 2, 2013
Did you know that the rate of teen pregnancies in 2010 was the lowest it’s been since 1946? Either teens are actually starting to pay attention or adults are getting involved and are willing to talk about it so they can make a difference. Either way, something is clicking with teens. The pregnancy rate dropped 37% between 1992 and 2005 and the birth rate dropped 33% in that same time period. These numbers, posted in a document developed by Advocates for Youth is helping to spread the word for National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month (NTPPM) which is going on right now, during the month of May.
Are you a teen? Are you at risk? Having unprotected sex and keeping your fingers crossed? According to statistics posted by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, in the US 3 in 10 girls get pregnant by the time they are 20 years old. Although girls in the United States begin to explore and experiment with sex at the same age as their European counterparts, they are more likely to get pregnant. Girls who become pregnant during their teen years are less likely to complete high school or college and more likely to live in poverty. Using contraception and delaying the start of sexual intercourse has made a huge difference in our numbers and teen pregnancies are the lowest they’ve been in 40 years, but we still have quite a ways to go.
Are you a parent, a business person, a religious leader? Reaching out to the teens in your life, supporting movements like this and encouraging open communication about the risks of teen pregnancy and prevention could change someone’s life. Advocates for Youth supplies communities and organizations with materials to promote teen pregnancy prevention using the vision of the “3Rs”. Teens have the Right to information and healthcare necessary for proper sexual health care and pregnancy prevention. They deserve the Respect of involving them in the planning and development of programs that affect their reproductive health. Society has a Responsibility to provide teens with the tools they need to make the right decisions and protect their own reproductive health and futures. Teens deserve access to pregnancy and STD testing and information to choose the right prevention method for them, whether it be celibacy, condoms, or hormonal birth control. We owe it to our future generations to pay attention so that they can have the brightest future possible.
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
Start Early to Prevent Dementia in Old Age
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, DNA / Paternity, Wellness on November 12, 2010
Many people are afraid of finding out that they may get Alzheimer’s disease or any other form of dementia, primarily because there is no treatment. Would you want to know that you won’t recognize your spouse or children and that you won’t be able to take care of yourself? Maybe not, if there was nothing you could do to stop it! Then every slip of the tongue or forgetful moment could cause a panic attack. Would you be able to look forward to your “golden” years? I don’t know if I would. Because most people don’t think about it until they already have full blown symptoms, there isn’t much that can be done. New research is being developed that could detect signs of dementia in patients in their 40s that could allow for preventive changes in diet and exercise that could delay or even prevent the disorder.
One test, a computer screening test, takes only 30 seconds and identifies white matter lesions in the temporal lobe that appear to be related to early signs of dementia. Another is a verbal screening test, dubbed the “Sweet 16″ for the 16 questions in the test that appears to be as effective or better than the current standard test the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) which identifies dementia symptoms in older patients allowing for quick and easy detection. There are also Genetic Predisposition Tests that can look at your overall genetic pattern and possible risk of Alzheimer’s and other diseases. Knowing that there are more ways being developed that can identify this dreaded disease and preventive measures you can take means maybe we won’t have to get in a boat and sail off in the sunset to avoid burdening our loved ones.
Alzheimer’s Has a High Price Tag
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on October 12, 2010
There are many reasons to continue research into what causes Alzheimer’s and how to prevent it, not least of which is the high cost this cruel disease exacts in financial terms. Alzheimer’s Disease International, a non-profit organization based in the United Kingdom, presented in their 2010 World Alzheimer Report the financial burden placed on society by those suffering with the disease. The medical costs of care are higher in wealthier countries because more of the care is provided by healthcare professionals. In developing countries the cost is much lower, not due to lack of care, but because the care is provided at home by family members and not by professionals. The time expended is still very high and poses a burden to families.
The report indicated that the costs of dementia will rise significantly. Alzheimer’s Disease International recommends that cost effective medical and social strategies need to be developed to assist the families and the individuals affected throughout the course of the illness. Additionally, evidence-based prevention strategies need to be developed and implemented. Tests can provide information about individuals’ risks of contracting the disease but the financial burden isn’t lessened by early detection.
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
Genetic Testing at Berkeley “Adjusted”
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, DNA / Paternity, Wellness on September 10, 2010
The University of California at Berkeley had an interesting idea, “Bring Your Genes to Cal”, but the state Public Health Department disagreed. The original plan was to test incoming freshman for three genes involved in the metabolism of alcohol, lactose and folates. The theory was that providing this information to new students would help them manage their health better by perhaps, not drinking as much alcohol, understanding why they got uncomfortable after consuming dairy or increasing their intake of leafy greens to increase their folate levels. Unfortunately, the California Public Health Department determined that the information could be used improperly.
The University agreed not to provide the information directly to students but will test the samples provided voluntarily by approximately 1,000 students to explore these issues. The unexpected response is providing an experience that the Berkeley professors who started the program didn’t expect. Based on the adjustment of the program Berkeley is planning open debates and conversations about the ethics of genetic testing. Some clinics do provide genetic testing to determine a predisposition to specific diseases including certain cancers, coronary heart disease, multiple sclerosis and obesity among others. These clinics are certified to provide the testing whereas Berkeley is not and the testing was not part of a research study. The field of genetic testing is expanding dramatically and tests are starting to provide ever more valuable health information. The ethics of some of these tests and how the information is used is still a major point of controversy.
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
Newly Identified Genetic Marker May Help Predict Ovarian Cancer
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests on August 24, 2010
Ovarian cancer is frequently a death sentence. Because it is found during stage 4 in a large percentage of cases, it is oftentoo late for treatments to be effective. Previous research has found that women with mutations in genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, genes which usually suppress tumors, are 10 times more likely to develop ovarian cancer. But only half of women with a family history of the disease test positive for the mutation making this an inaccurate test. The newly identified marker, the KRAS gene, may lead to early diagnosis of the deadly cancer. Variations of this gene show up in 25% of women with ovarian cancer and in 61% of women with a family history of the disease making this a promising discovery.
For 25 years, women at risk for ovarian cancer have been able to obtain a test to look for the protein CA-125. High concentrations of this protein exist in cancer tumors, but the test on its own produces many false positives and false negatives. The Risk of Ovarian Cancer Algorithm (ROCA) study is showing that monitoring these levels over time and combining increased levels with ultrasounds before surgery may prevent many of the false positives and are highly successful at finding cancer. The research in this area is leading to important discoveries that can save lives.
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
Fish Oil May Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on August 3, 2010
A recent study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention suggest that there may be a link between the consumption of fish oil supplements and a reduced risk of breast cancer. The study consisted of postmenopausal women in Seattle, WA between the ages of 50 and 76 who responded to a 24 page survey that questioned their use of supplements. The Susan G. Komen for the Cure is currently funding a study at the Pennsylvania State University School of Medicine on the use of fish oil supplements in combination with raloxifene to prevent breast cancer. More research is needed, but this could be a promising approach.
Tests have been created that can look for both a predisposition to breast cancer as well as the presence of biomarkers which could indicate a tumor. The possibility of early detection and prevention is exciting. If you have a family history of breast cancer or behaviors associated with an increased risk, getting tested can provide peace of mind or allow you to take action at an earlier stage.
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
OTC Genetic Tests Not Ready for Prime Time
Posted by Maureen in DNA / Paternity, Wellness on May 14, 2010
According to MedPageToday, Walgreens has decided to hold off on selling Over-the-Counter Home Genetic Tests. Walgreens received an email from the FDA asking them to wait because they consider this test a medical device and it is therefore subject to regulation. A majority of physicians are still not comfortable with allowing these types of tests to be used at home and they continue to recommend that their patients obtain testing at reliable testing facilities where strict protocols are maintained. The OTC tests that Walgreens was planning to offer allowed results for such conditions as pre-pregnancy, prostate cancer, diabetes and cystic fibrosis.
These tests provide information on an individual’s risk of developing numerous diseases within their lifetime as compared to a sample of other people. The information obtained from a Genetic Predisposition DNA test can be used to change your diet and lifestyle and possibly avoid some of these serious disorders. The results aren’t a guarantee because the environment plays such a large factor in our health. Still, the ability to take preventive action can be critical.
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
Alzheimer’s Disease More Prevalent in African Americans and Hispanics
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, DNA / Paternity on March 9, 2010
New research reported by the Alzheimer’s Association states that Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias may go unrecognized in African Americans and Hispanics who may not be as familiar with it and are less likely to get a formal diagnosis. This often delays treatment because there is a large gap between the time that the family recognizes the cognitive impairment and the time that a doctor is seen for treatment. Although the disease still shows up most often in white males, specific minority groups are much more likely to develop the syndrome. The specifics of why African Americans and Hispanics have a predisposition for the disease are not known, but they are more likely to have hypertension and diabetes which are known risk factors for Alzheimer’s and other dementias. DNA lab tests are available to determine your genetic predisposition for specific conditions, including Alzheimer’s, as compared to others in the population. Be aware of your risk factors and know the signs and symptoms of conditions for which you may have a tendency!
Is Obesity in Your Genes?
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests on February 10, 2010
Unfortunately, it’s not likely. Most of the obesity that has been on the rise in the western world is due to overeating and lack of exercise. However, a new study by Philippe Froguel, MD, PhD, of Imperial College London, and colleagues reported in Nature states that a small, but significant, percentage of morbid obesity may be due to deletions on chromosome 16. In the study, none of the non-obese people had these deletions, leading the researchers to conclude that missing sections of DNA may have a powerful impact on weight for a small segment of the population.
Certainly, this doesn’t account for the majority of morbid obesity or the obesity epidemic in general, but could provide specific treatment options that would be more appropriate for someone with a genetic predisposition to the disorder. Tests are currently available for Genetic Predisposition to 25 specific diseases including Obesity, Cancers, Alzheimer’s and Coronary Heart Disease. Although these tests are not definitive and won’t tell you that you definitely will or won’t contract a disease, they can provide you with your unique risks as compared to other people. Anything that can steer us in the right direction to make lifestyle changes to prevent disease is a valuable tool. I know I can use all the help I can get!
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
CDC H1N1 Flu Updates:- Press Briefing Transcript: Dr. Thomas Frieden's Remarks at the 2010 Influenza Workshop for Journalists
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- MMWR: Regional Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccination Campaign -- Skokie, Illinois, October 16--December 31, 2009
- UPDATE: 2009 H1N1 Flu International Situation Update