Futura Genetics test
There are many medical conditions known to have a genetic cause. Knowing our risk for developing certain conditions can help us adjust our lives accordingly and lower these risks.
Futura Genetics is an innovative non-invasive DNA test that can provide information on the risk of developing 28 genetic diseases.
What diseases can the test detect?
Macular degeneration – an eye disease that causes damage to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and to the macula – a part of the center of the retina containing photoreceptor nerve cells. As the disease advances, the photoreceptor activity is decreased, which causes the loss of central vision.
Alzheimer’s disease – a severe progressive neurological disease. This condition causes a slow and continuous degeneration of nerve cells in the brain that eventually results in the patient’s death. As the disease progresses, it harms cognitive skills and brain function. People with Alzheimer’s suffer from spatial disorientation, memory loss, and a declining ability to make reasonable judgements and decisions. In later stages, they lose the ability to walk, suffer from incontinence and need assistance in self-care activities such as eating.
Atrial fibrillation – the most common form of heart arrhythmia involving the atria (upper chambers of the heart). The condition itself is not life threatening, but it may increase the risk of strokes. Atrial fibrillation causes blood clots that can hurt the blood flow to the brain.
Celiac disease – an autoimmune disease affecting the small intestine in response to gluten ingestion. The immune system attacks the small intestine and disrupts nutrient absorption, which may lead to malnutrition and other medical conditions such as abdominal swelling, developmental impairment in children, and infertility.
Coronary Artery Disease – a heart condition caused by blockage or narrowing of one or more of the coronary arteries. Coronary arteries are the arteries responsible for blood supply to the heart. Damage to these arteries leads to disruption of oxygen flow to the heart tissue.
Systemic lupus erythematosus – An autoimmune disease that involves all the organ systems. In mild cases, this condition mainly affects the joints. Moderate cases include heart and blood vessel damage. Severe cases include damage to the central nervous system and kidneys.
Multiple Sclerosis – an autoimmune condition of the nervous system. In multiple sclerosis (MS), the immune system identifies a substance called myelin as a pathogen and attacks it. Myelin coats the nerve fibers and allows nerve cell communication. MS is a relapsing disease with different forms. In its most severe cases it can cause blindness and physical disabilities.
Rheumatoid Arthritis – an autoimmune disease that affects the joints. The disease causes joint deformities in different body areas and occurs in symmetrical inflammations in several joints simultaneously. The disease can also cause inflammation in the blood vessels, skin, and pericardium.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) – the most common form of skin cancer. BCC develops in the base layer of the epithelium. In 80% of patients, this disease develops in the head or neck area and rarely causes metastasis to other organs.
Exfoliating Glaucoma – a disease that affects the optic nerve and may lead to blindness.
Graves’ disease – an immune system disorder that causes an overactive thyroid. Graves’ disease is among the most common causes of hyperthyroidism and makes up around 80% of cases.
Brain aneurysm – a ballooning of blood vessels in the brain that may lead to a rupture of those blood vessels, cerebral hemorrhage, and death.
Melanoma – a tumor that develops from cells known as melanocytes. Most tumors develop on the skin, but they may also spread to the brain, throat, eyes, digestive system, liver, and the lymphatic system.
Open angle glaucoma – the most common form of glaucoma, that makes up around 90% of cases.
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) – a circulation disorder causing narrowing and hardening of blood vessels other than those supplying the brain or heart. The damage to those blood vessels disrupts oxygen supply to other organs and tissues.
Psoriasis – an autoimmune skin disease that reflects in overactive skin cell growth. The quick growth of skin cells is caused due to the immune system mistakenly identifying these cells as a threat and attacking them.
Deep vein thrombosis – a condition where dangerous blood clots develop in the veins.
How does the test work?
After ordering the test, patients receive a kit containing a sealed test tube. After supplying the saliva sample, a Futura Genetics courier will collect the sample and transport it to a laboratory. At the lab, the sample is processed, and different genetic tests are performed. Results, including a detailed report, are sent within four weeks.
The report details the average percentage to develop the diseases alongside the patient’s own percentage of developing these diseases. In addition, the report contains advice on how to reduce the risk of developing each disease.
How can test results help prevent diseases?
The results, sent within four weeks from performing the test, can help patients adopt a suitable lifestyle for reducing the risk of developing the different diseases.
For instance, if a patient finds out they are at high risk of developing colon cancer, they may wish to reduce their red meat and smoked meat intake, keep physically active to maintain a healthy body weight, and get regular screening for colon cancer according to relevant guidelines.
Patients at a high risk for skin cancer, however, should avoid long exposure to sunlight, apply sunscreen and undergo regular skin exams for early detection of cancer.
