Have you ever wondered if your DNA could reveal important information about your health? Genetic testing can help you uncover inherited health risks that may not be obvious from your current lifestyle or family history alone. While it doesn’t diagnose disease or predict the future, genetic testing can provide valuable insights that support more informed healthcare decisions, personalized treatment plans, and proactive conversations with your provider. Let’s take a closer look at what genetic testing is, how it works, and why it may be worth considering.
What is genetic testing?
Genetic testing looks at specific genes in your DNA for inherited genetic variants.
These variants may be linked to an increased risk of certain health conditions, including hereditary cancers, inherited heart and cardiovascular conditions, metabolic disorders, and blood clotting disorders. Genetic testing does not diagnose disease, but it can help identify genetic factors that may influence your overall health risk.
Many people consider genetic testing because they want answers to questions such as:
- Am I at increased risk for hereditary cancer?
- Could I have an inherited risk for heart disease?
- Should I discuss additional screening options with my doctor?
- Are there preventive steps I can take based on my genetic information?
How genetic testing helps with personalized treatment plans
No two people are exactly alike, and your healthcare shouldn't be either.
One of the biggest benefits of genetic testing is that it can support a more personalized approach to healthcare. Understanding your inherited risk may help you and your healthcare provider make informed decisions about:
- Preventive screenings
- Monitoring plans
- Lifestyle changes
- Family health discussions
- Future healthcare conversations
For example, if genetic testing identifies a variant linked to hereditary cancer or an inherited heart condition, your healthcare provider may recommend more frequent screenings or additional evaluations. On the other hand, if no significant variants are found, your provider can still consider other important factors such as lifestyle, environment, and family history. Genetic results are one piece of the larger health picture.
Marker by LabcorpTM Genetic Health Panel, available through Labcorp OnDemand, provides insights into 163 genes associated with more than 100 conditions, including:
- Hereditary cancers (breast, ovarian, colorectal, melanoma, and others)
- Inherited heart conditions (cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, aortic disease)
- Familial high cholesterol and cardiovascular risk
- Inherited blood clotting and bleeding disorders
- Hereditary metabolic and organ conditions
These insights can help inform early medical intervention before symptoms develop, cascade testing in family members, and personalized preventive care strategies. The goal of genetic testing is not to create uncertainty. It's to replace guesswork with information that can help guide your next steps.
Genetic counseling: Why it matters
Receiving genetic test results can sometimes feel overwhelming. That's where genetic counseling can help.
A genetic counselor is a trained healthcare professional who helps people understand:
- What their genetic test results mean
- How genetics may affect their health
- What questions to discuss with their healthcare provider
- Whether family members may benefit from learning about shared risks
Genetic counselors provide context and education, helping turn complex genetic information into actionable insights. Marker by Labcorp includes access to genetic counselors to help you understand your results and potential next steps.
When do you need a genetic counselor?
You may want to speak with a genetic counselor if you:
- Receive a genetic test result you don’t understand
- Have a personal or family history of cancer
- Have a family history of genetic heart disease
- Are concerned about inherited health conditions
- Are considering genetic testing and want guidance beforehand
People with a strong family history of certain genetic conditions may benefit from consulting a genetic counselor to determine the most appropriate testing strategy.
DNA testing near me: Where can you get genetic testing?
Today, genetic testing is more accessible than ever. Some tests are available through healthcare providers, while others can be purchased directly through trusted testing platforms.
Marker by Labcorp Genetic Health Panel is available through Labcorp OnDemand. After purchasing the test, you provide a blood sample at one of more than 2,200 Labcorp patient service centers nationwide. Results are delivered through Labcorp’s patient portal and the MyLabcorpTM mobile app, Labcorp’s secure, AI-powered mobile platform, along with educational resources and access to genetic counseling support. You’ll also receive a link to a personalized video explaining your results.
Is genetic testing right for you?
Hereditary genetic testing may be worth considering if you're curious about your possible inherited health risks and want to take a more proactive approach to your long-term health.
For generally healthy adults, hereditary genetic testing can offer valuable insights that support informed health decisions and meaningful conversations with healthcare providers. Results cannot diagnose disease, but they may help uncover health risks that would otherwise remain unknown.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore genetic testing or looking for deeper insights into your inherited health risks, options like Marker by Labcorp can help you better understand your genetic health and support more informed conversations about your future care.
