What do you think about using genetic testing to predict health risks these days?
A friend of mine actually tried it, and they said a specific cancer risk came out high, making them anxious. How accurate is it, really?
Pros: Allows early prevention, motivates lifestyle improvements
Cons: Unnecessary anxiety, risk of personal data leaks, questionable reliability from the medical community
If there are any medical majors here, please tell me how much clinicians actually trust genetic test results.
3 answers
Yeah, it's just for reference. You shouldn't trust it too much.
I'm a doctor, and in clinical practice, we rarely use those kinds of genetic test results. Unless it's an autosomal dominant hereditary disease, the probabilities are meaningless and just fuel anxiety. Your friend doesn't need to worry. Instead, tell them to focus on getting regular check-ups. Personal information is a separate issue...
I've tried it, and it's not like you'll instantly get it just because the probability says so. It definitely helps motivate you to improve your lifestyle habits. But don't stress too much—just take it as a reference.