Role of Genes and Genetic Testing in Prenatal Diagnosis and Cancer: A short story
Genes, genetic testing, and genetic disorders are interrelated terms. These terms have a common goal of declining the risk of increasing genetic and chromosomal abnormalities in the developing fetus and adult individuals. Early diagnosis with the help of genes can help to person to take preventative measures to prevent the onset or to treat the symptoms of an unknown genetic disease or disorder.
Cancer, one of the significant life-threatening diseases, is rapidly increasing in the country. As per the National Cancer Registry Programme Report 2020, there is an estimate of almost 16 lakh cases of cancer by 2025. This would require a reliable health infrastructure for the management of cancer patients. However, this number can be reduced by creating awareness among people about the importance of genetic testing. Genetic testing diagnostic methodologies can help in understanding the risk of developing cancer in a particular individual. This risk assessment report can guide the person to take action to prevent the onset of cancer. The analysis can also help the doctors in designing specific treatment or medication to reduce the onset of cancer unique to the genes of an individual. This also opens the way for precision medicine.
Genetic screening also shares its importance in prenatal diagnosis. A developing fetus may develop specific congenital abnormalities during pregnancy. Non-invasive Prenatal screening is a vital tool that can analyses anomalies arising due to mutations or chromosomal behavior. This procedure uses fetal cell-free DNA present in the bloodstream of the mother for screening genetic mutations that may lead to a genetic disorder in the new-born. This technique does not pose any risk of developing baby. The results can help the couple in taking operational decisions if a particular genetic abnormality is detected in a developing child.
In this short story, I have tried to emphasize the importance of genetic testing in prenatal screening and in deadly diseases such as cancer. There are still many more applications of gene testing that needs to be explored. I will discuss more in my next story soon!
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