I'm a cancer doctor and here is what I think about at-home genetics tests

I'm a cancer doctor and here is what I think about at-home genetics tests READ MORE: Doctors slam genetic tests for sparking confusion By CASSIDY MORRISON SENIOR HEALTH REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 17:20, 18 November 2024 | Updated: 17:42, 18 November 2024 e-mail View comments The direct-to-consumer genetic testing market has helped tens of millions of Americans not just learn about their family lineage, but also given them a microscopic view of their health. Popular DIY tests – such as Ancestry DNA and 23&Me – offer a variety of kits depending on how much of a deep dive into your DNA you're hoping to do, ranging from $99 to $200.

Kits that test your cheek swab for health markers may reveal genes that indicate an increased likelihood of breast , ovarian, and prostate cancers, helping customers - whether they have a family history of cancer or not - gain a better understanding of their individual risk. But oncologists caution the at-home tests are not for everyone . Direct-to-consumer tests are fairly limited in scope when it comes to variants they test for.

23&Me, for instance, only tests for 44 genetic variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes , which suggest a proneness to breast cancer, but there are more than 4,000 known variants that increase the risk. 23&me also tests for two variants in genes that increase one's risk of colorectal cancer, though there are about 25 acquired gene mutations known to increase CRC risk. Dr Mikkael Sekeres, an expert in blood cancer.