Genetic Testing

Importance of Genetic Testing

Testing your genetics can discover a genetic mutation that may run in your family, allowing professionals to treat it before any symptoms form. These results can drive individuals toward prevention, monitoring, and treatment options. These approaches can help eliminate the need for more intensive treatment later in the process.

The results can also help parents determine the chances of their current or future child developing a certain family condition.

Our Genetic Tests for Women

Several genetic tests have been developed as technology continues advancing. We provide the following options for our patients:

• NIPT testing: Noninvasive prenatal testing — also known as Panorama — uses unique technology to analyze a baby's DNA while in the womb. It looks specifically at the chromosomal makeup for conditions like Down syndrome, caused by an extra or missing chromosome copy.
• Hereditary cancer screenings: This testing looks for inherited genetic variants associated with cancer risk. If you have a family member or close relative with a rare cancer or more than one type of cancer, or who has had cancer at a young age, you should consider hereditary cancer screenings.
• OVA-1 test: This blood test for ovarian cancer creates an ovarian malignancy risk score. However, an abnormal result does not mean you have cancer — you should see a specialist for further instruction before getting surgery.
• Horizon test: A panel like a horizon test is done before or during a pregnancy to identify if you are a carrier of a gene with a variant that could affect your child.
• Amniocentesis: This procedure removes some amniotic fluid — the fluid that surrounds and protects a fetus during pregnancy — from the uterus for testing. Because amniotic fluid contains fetal cells and proteins, professionals can assess it for a genetic or chromosomal condition.
• Chorionic villus sampling (CVS): Similar to amniocentesis, CVS is a test that removes some tissue from the placenta during pregnancy to test for genetic or chromosomal abnormalities.
• Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP): This blood test checks the AFP levels in a pregnant woman's blood. A positive test can indicate the presence of cancer.