Article: Mixed reviews of at-home genetic testing

Contents

At home genetic test identifies BRCA2 mutation carrier

A July 2017 ABC TV Baltimore news segment by reporter Mallory Sofastaii highlighted the story of Lara Diamond, who ordered a 23andme at-home genetic test to learn more about her genealogy. She expected the test to expand her family tree and locate distant relatives. Instead, she learned she had inherited a BRCA2 mutation.

Diamond immediately followed up with her doctor and a genetic counselor, and was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer after she had a screening breast MRI. She had no prior knowledge of family history of breast cancer. She states, “There were no symptoms. I mean I wouldn't have gotten screened for years. The fact that a mammogram couldn't see it, ultrasound couldn't see it, it would've been a couple more years until there were any symptoms that would've made us question anything.”

Concerns and risks associated with DTC genetic testing

While the at-home test enabled Diamond to be proactive about her health, the author of the news report stated that not everyone who has used DTC genetic testing has shared a positive experience.  In fact, in November 2013, the FDA stopped 23andMe from sharing such results because of risks associated with false positive findings.

It’s important for consumers to understand that these genetic tests do not give a diagnosis. Even a genetic predisposition for a disease, such as late-onset Alzheimer's, doesn't guarantee that you will develop it. The test merely suggests that you may be predisposed. For some diseases, there are other factors such as environmental factors and lifestyle choices that may influence whether someone will get a particular disease. Genetics counselors are experts who are trained to look at an individual’s personal and family health history in order to help people better understand their risk for disease and their options for staying healthy.

The news report addresses some concerns and risks associated with DTC genetic testing and references the National Society of Genetic Counselors' (NSGC) position on Direct Access to Genetic Testing. The NSGC recommends caution when interpreting results at home. The author of this article interviewed Natalie Beck, a certified genetic counselor at the Johns Hopkins Institute of Genetic Medicine, who said, “It's not as simple as one single variant or one single gene and giving people an absolute increase or decrease risk for their health. And that challenge of patients trying to interpret their own genetic test results, I think, can lead to a lot of false anxiety or maybe even false reassurance.”  Ellen Matloff, a certified genetic counselor and President & CEO of My Gene Counsel, explains that “Some patients who had 23andMe testing believed that they had been screened for all mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2.  In reality, they had only been screened for the three common Jewish BRCA mutations—a result which is almost meaningless in anyone not of Jewish ancestry.”

What does this mean for me?

Most DTC genetic tests are not meant to provide health information.  This changed in April 2017 when the FDA granted 23andMe permission to market its Personal Genome Service Genetic Health Risk tests for 10 diseases. These are the first DTC genetic tests the FDA has allowed to provide health and genetic information directly to consumers and not healthcare providers.

If you are considering at-home genetic testing, it’s important to understand what a test may or may not tell you, how reliable the test is, and whether you will receive any guidance to help you understand what the test results mean for you and your family. The NSGC recommends answering the following questions before submitting a DNA sample for a DTC genetic test:

• Is the company trustworthy?
• What exactly will the test tell you?
• Will your personal information be protected?
• What professional help will the company provide?

Lastly, if you have already had a DTC genetic test, show your test results to your doctor or genetic counselor so that you can discuss them together.

Share your thoughts on this XRAYS article by taking our brief survey

Posted 10/20/17

References

American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics Board of Directors Statement. Direct to consumer testing:  a revised position statement from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. Genetics in Medicine. 2016. 18:207–208

Khoury, MJ.  Direct to Consumer Genetic Testing: Think Before You Spit, 2017 Edition!  2017

National Society of Genetic Counselors. "What is At-Home Genetic Testing? Understanding what an at-home test will – and will not – tell you.”

Disclosure

FORCE receives funding from industry sponsors, including companies that manufacture cancer drugs, tests and devices. All XRAYS articles are written independently of any sponsor and are reviewed by members of our Scientific Advisory Board prior to publication to assure scientific integrity.