As it turns out, genes influence much more than just our appearance or personality. To date, more than 8,600 disorders have been traced to specific genes. And many more are known to involve several genes.
Understanding your genetic make-up gives you a powerful weapon in controlling your health. Being helplessly held victim by your genetic history is becoming a thing of the past. Here’s what you should know about common hereditary diseases and illnesses.
Colon Cancer: About 2 percent of colon cancers are caused by familial polyposis – a condition where hundreds of growths develop along the intestinal lining of the intestine. Some of these turn malignant. Consider getting a DNA test if two or more of your family members have had familial polyposis or colon cancer.
Breast Cancer/Ovarian Cancer: Approximately 10 percent of breast cancers are inherited through mutations in two specific genes, BRCA-1 and BRCA-2. Women who inherit one of these genes have an 85 percent chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime, and a 40- 65 percent chance of developing ovarian cancer. Consider DNA testing if two or more close relatives had breast or ovarian cancer, or one relative had cancer in both breasts. Also, sons of women with breast cancer who inherit a breast cancer gene are at a greater risk for prostate, intestinal, pancreatic, or even breast cancer.
Pulmonary Embolism: There are two genes that put individuals at risk for pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lung). About 5 percent of Caucasians carry defective genes for the blood component factor V Leiden, and about 2 percent carry a prothrombin gene mutation. Consider DNA testing if you or a member of your family has suffered either deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in the leg) or a pulmonary embolism. If you do have a genetic history of pulmonary embolism, you should alert your doctor if you’re going to be immobile for any long period of time – such as a long plane or car trip.
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