Is Do It Yourself Always a Good Plan?

There are all sorts of Do It Yourself (DIY) at-home medical test kits available both in stores and especially online. Some of these are simple to use and appear to have useful/accurate results. Many are FDA approved for their intended purpose. There are also a variety of DNA test kits for determining ethnicity and even paternity.
There are at-home test kits that are not the best choice. One area of concern with these at-home kits is testing to determine a genetic predisposition for certain diseases and in particular cancers that can have an inherited genetic mutation.
The kits available, for genetic mutations, are not advisable for a number of reasons. Quality of testing lab, proper collection of the sample, packing of the sample, actual genes being reviewed, lack of proper counseling to assess all risk factors (such as lifestyle or environmental exposure), and faulty interpretation of results all affect the validity and explanation of the information received. Most of these tests are not FDA approved, which is another concern since that means there is no oversight of the tests or labs for this particular purpose.
Genetic counseling to initially determine whether genetic testing is necessary or the right choice is essential to this process. The possible effects on the patient and their family is a big consideration. Knowing ALL risk factors, including family history along with external factors, lifestyle and general health, all go into determining whether testing is a reasonable option. Having a professional interpret and explain the test results, should testing be pursued, is also critically important. There can be a variety of results and not all of them indicate taking any action. If there is a predisposition, a counselor can devise a plan for management and reduction of the elevated risk.
Should you have concerns about a family history of cancer, take our Hereditary Cancer Quiz to determine whether you should consider genetic counseling.