Genetic test results may have health implications not only for an individual, but for an entire family. If you receive a positive test result, family follow-up testing can help identify other family members at risk for the same genetic disease. Family members who test positive can work with their doctors to make a plan for prevention or early detection of disease.
If you tested positive for a disease-causing (pathogenic or likely pathogenic) variant, your family members have up to a 50% chance of having the same variant.
If they also test positive, they may have an elevated risk of developing the disease and can look into options for prevention and early detection. If they test negative, their risk of developing the disease may be similar to the general population.
There are a few steps you can take:
If your family member has a disease-causing (pathogenic or likely pathogenic) variant, you may have up to a 50% chance of having the same variant.
If you also test positive, you may have an elevated risk of developing the disease. With this knowledge, you can consider options for prevention and early detection. If you test negative, your risk of developing the disease may be similar to the general population.
There are a few steps you can take:
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