“How have you successfully integrated genetic testing into your family’s healthcare plan? What’s one piece of advice you’d give to others considering this approach?”
Genetic testing became most useful when paired with preventative care rather than treated as a one-time curiosity. Results highlighted predispositions to certain conditions, which allowed physicians to adjust screenings and lifestyle recommendations well in advance. For example, learning about a heightened cardiovascular risk led to earlier cholesterol monitoring and a nutrition plan that emphasized heart health for the whole family. This shifted healthcare from reactive to proactive, reducing uncertainty and giving a sense of control.
The advice for others is to treat genetic testing as a tool, not a verdict. Its real value comes when results are discussed with a qualified medical provider who can translate them into practical steps. Standing alone, the data may feel overwhelming, but integrated into a care plan, it becomes a guide for long-term well-being.
Belle Florendo, Marketing coordinator, Sunny Glen Children’s Home
Hello, my name is Dr. James Lyons, MD. I am an ER Physician at Synergy Houses of Westchester, PA. We would like to contribute to your article! Here are the links to our website, staff page and my LinkedIn.
https://synergyhouses.com/
https://synergyhouses.com/staff/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-lyons-755129340/
Here are our answers and responses to your query:
A way families use to integrate genetic testing in their care is to start by mapping a family history including three generations and decide what factors you’d like to test to inform on, including hereditary cancer screenings, cardiomyopathy risk, medication optimization, or preconception carrier screening. A board-certified genetic counselor can help with pre-test counseling, and touch on benefits, limits, possible incidental findings, consent, coverage information, and understand privacy protections. Ensure to choose a CLIA-certified clinical lab and the most targeted tests that answer your questions. Once the results are obtained, they are translated into a written care plan, with updated screening intervals, such as earlier colonoscopy or mammogram, medication choices and dosing using pharmacogenomics, and specific risk-reducing steps. It is encouraged to share your summary and lab reports with other family members that may be at risk, and coordinate cascade testing for children that may be at risk. Keep all reports organized for future reference and re-review. Results can be re-reviewed with a professional every few years or when family history changes because variant classifications and guidelines may evolve.
James Lyons, ER physician, Synergy Houses
I added genetic testing to our family’s health plan by first talking to a genetic counselor to figure out which tests were most relevant to our family history. We started with a panel that tested for conditions that are common in our family and the results allowed us to adjust our preventive care, like scheduling earlier screenings and focusing on specific lifestyle changes. One piece of advice I would give to others considering this is to combine the testing with professional guidance rather than trying to interpret the results on your own. Having a counselor explain the results made the information actionable and reduced unnecessary anxiety. It also allowed us to have informed conversations with our primary care doctors so any preventive measures were personalized and practical. Overall, adding genetic testing to our health plan gave us a proactive approach to health and peace of mind knowing we could address potential risks early.
Nikita Sherbina, Co-Founder & CEO, AIScreen