Genetic testing is a tool that can help you, and your family, take control of your health by making personalized, informed healthcare decisions. There are lots of different kinds of genetic tests: for rare conditions that only affect a small number of people, for ancestry and paternity, and now tests are available for common diseases like cancer and diabetes.

But as the number of companies offering genetic testing continues to grow, it can be confusing for many consumers to determine which service is the best, the most reliable, and the most appropriate for their needs. Not all genetic tests are created equal, and some genetic testing companies do not offer useful or even accurate services.

To help in the decision-making process, the National Society of Genetic Counselors has just released a list of questions consumers should ask when selecting a genetic testing service:

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With so many new genetic discoveries, technologies, and applications, the number of companies offering genetic testing has skyrocketed over the past few years.

As a genetics professional, it is incredibly exciting to me that the genetics field is becoming more accessible to more people.

But not all genetic tests are the same, and not all genetic testing companies offer accurate and useful services. How is a person to sort through all the options to make an informed decision?

Now, an independent lab testing group has made it easier to decide…

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If you’ve received your Navigenics genetic test results, it may be time for “the talk.”

Time to have a candid conversation with your physician about your DNA and what you can do to improve the future direction of your health.

This summer, I blogged about some of the barriers patients might face in sitting down with a physician to go over the results. Fear of discrimination and too-short appointments are foremost on some people’s list.

Yet your doctor can be your greatest ally in your quest to make informed decisions about your health.

And, as one of our satisfied customers relates, having that conversation can be one of the most important steps you can take along the path toward optimal wellness.

In Patrick’s case, it meant early detection and early treatment of a health condition that might otherwise have gone undetected for some time.

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Sometimes, knowing what your DNA says about your health isn’t enough – you’d like your doctor to be in the loop as well. But in the busy world of modern medicine, that kind of information sharing may not be as easy as it sounds.

Some physicians, for example, have so many medical advances to keep track of that they may not be accustomed to interpreting new types of genetic results. You and your doctor also usually don’t have as much time to talk as either of you would like. Did you know that the average medical appointment is only about seven minutes these days? That leaves little time to fit in a conversation about personal genetics results. And many people have concerns about whether they want their genetic information entered into their formal medical records.

f you’d like to talk with your physician about your genetic information, here are a few suggestions to help make that conversation more productive:

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When people interested in Navigenics hear that genetic counseling is a core part of our service, they usually have two things to say. The first is “Great!” The second is “What do you do, exactly?”

Here is a look at who we are, and how we can help you make the most of your genetic insights.

Genetic Counselors are highly trained health professionals with specific expertise in medical genetics and counseling, but many people have never had access to us. That separation reflects the traditional role of genetic information in health care. For a long time, genetics focused mostly on either rare diseases or pregnancy. As a result, you might have been referred to a Genetic Counselor only if a rare condition ran in your family, or if you were considering a genetic test as part of having a baby.

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