What Can Genetic Testing Tell You About Your Future Health?
Katrina Harrison, founder of Genomic Health, was interviewed by The Sunday Times regarding preventative genetic testing, inherited cancer risk, pharmacogenomics and polygenic risk scores. The article explored how genomic information may help inform personalised healthcare decisions.
Published: September 2026
Read the full article (subscription may be required) https://thewest.com.au/news/health/the-three-genetic-tests-that-could-help-you-live-a-long-healthy-life-according-to-perth-genetic-counsellor-c-22873857
Recent advances in genetic testing have made it possible to learn more about our health than ever before. While genetics cannot predict the future with certainty, it can provide valuable information about inherited health risks, medication responses and opportunities for prevention.
Many people are surprised to learn that genetic testing is no longer only used when someone is already affected by a medical condition. Increasingly, healthy individuals are seeking genetic information to better understand their risks and make informed decisions about their long-term health.
Why Consider Genetic Testing?
Most of us know our cholesterol levels, blood pressure and family history. Genetic information can add another layer to this picture.
Research suggests that a significant proportion of the population carries genetic changes associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, cardiovascular conditions and other inherited disorders, often without any obvious warning signs. Some people may also carry genetic variants that affect how they respond to common medications.
Understanding these risks can create opportunities for:
Earlier screening and surveillance
Preventative healthcare strategies
More informed lifestyle decisions
Personalised medication management
Better understanding of family health risks
1. Proactive Genetic Screening
Proactive genetic screening looks for inherited genetic variants associated with medically actionable conditions.
These can include hereditary cancer syndromes, inherited cardiovascular conditions and other genetic conditions where early detection or specialist management may improve health outcomes.
For example, some individuals carry inherited variants associated with significantly increased risks of cancers such as breast, ovarian or bowel cancer. Identifying these risks may allow for enhanced screening, risk-reduction strategies or referral to appropriate specialists.
Importantly, genetic testing does not diagnose cancer or disease. Instead, it helps identify whether someone has an inherited predisposition that may warrant additional attention.
2. Pharmacogenomics: Understanding How Your Body Processes Medication
Have you ever wondered why one medication works well for one person but causes side effects or limited benefit in another?
Pharmacogenomics examines genetic differences that influence how individuals metabolise and respond to medications.
Some people process medications more quickly than expected, while others metabolise them more slowly. These differences can affect both effectiveness and the likelihood of side effects.
Pharmacogenomic information may assist healthcare providers when considering medications commonly used in areas such as:
Mental health
Cardiovascular disease
Pain management
ADHD
Infection treatment
The goal is not to replace clinical decision-making but to provide additional information that may help support personalised prescribing.
3. Polygenic Risk Scores
Many common health conditions are influenced by hundreds or even thousands of genetic factors working together.
Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) analyse numerous small genetic variations across the genome to estimate whether an individual's risk of developing certain conditions may be higher or lower than average.
Polygenic risk assessment can be used for conditions such as:
Coronary artery disease
Breast cancer
Prostate cancer
Bowel cancer
Type 2 diabetes
Atrial fibrillation
Melanoma
A Polygenic Risk Score is not a diagnosis, and it cannot determine whether someone will definitely develop a condition. Instead, it provides another piece of information that can be considered alongside family history, lifestyle and other clinical risk factors.
Genetics Is Only Part of the Story
One of the most important things to understand about genetic testing is that genes are not destiny.
While genetic information can provide useful insights, factors such as:
Exercise
Nutrition
Sleep
Smoking status
Alcohol consumption
Environmental exposures
continue to play a major role in overall health and longevity.
The aim of genetic testing is not to predict the future with certainty. Rather, it is to provide information that may help individuals and their healthcare providers make more proactive decisions.
The Importance of Genetic Counselling
Genetic results can sometimes be complex and may raise questions about personal health or family members.
Genetic counselling helps individuals understand:
What the testing can and cannot tell them
The limitations of genetic information
Potential implications for family members
Appropriate next steps following a result
Recent advances in genetic testing have made it possible to learn more about our health than ever before. While genetics cannot predict the future with certainty, it can provide valuable information about inherited health risks, medication responses and opportunities for prevention.
Many people are surprised to learn that genetic testing is no longer only used when someone is already affected by a medical condition. Increasingly, healthy individuals are seeking genetic information to better understand their risks and make informed decisions about their long-term health.
Why Consider Genetic Testing?
Most of us know our cholesterol levels, blood pressure and family history. Genetic information can add another layer to this picture.
Research suggests that a significant proportion of the population carries genetic changes associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, cardiovascular conditions and other inherited disorders, often without any obvious warning signs. Some people may also carry genetic variants that affect how they respond to common medications.
Understanding these risks can create opportunities for:
Earlier screening and surveillance
Preventative healthcare strategies
More informed lifestyle decisions
Personalised medication management
Better understanding of family health risks
1. Proactive Genetic Screening
Proactive genetic screening looks for inherited genetic variants associated with medically actionable conditions.
These can include hereditary cancer syndromes, inherited cardiovascular conditions and other genetic conditions where early detection or specialist management may improve health outcomes.
For example, some individuals carry inherited variants associated with significantly increased risks of cancers such as breast, ovarian or bowel cancer. Identifying these risks may allow for enhanced screening, risk-reduction strategies or referral to appropriate specialists.
Importantly, genetic testing does not diagnose cancer or disease. Instead, it helps identify whether someone has an inherited predisposition that may warrant additional attention.
2. Pharmacogenomics: Understanding How Your Body Processes Medication
Have you ever wondered why one medication works well for one person but causes side effects or limited benefit in another?
Pharmacogenomics examines genetic differences that influence how individuals metabolise and respond to medications.
Some people process medications more quickly than expected, while others metabolise them more slowly. These differences can affect both effectiveness and the likelihood of side effects.
Pharmacogenomic information may assist healthcare providers when considering medications commonly used in areas such as:
Mental health
Cardiovascular disease
Pain management
ADHD
Infection treatment
The goal is not to replace clinical decision-making but to provide additional information that may help support personalised prescribing.
3. Polygenic Risk Scores
Many common health conditions are influenced by hundreds or even thousands of genetic factors working together.
Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) analyse numerous small genetic variations across the genome to estimate whether an individual's risk of developing certain conditions may be higher or lower than average.
Polygenic risk assessment can be used for conditions such as:
Coronary artery disease
Breast cancer
Prostate cancer
Bowel cancer
Type 2 diabetes
Atrial fibrillation
Melanoma
A Polygenic Risk Score is not a diagnosis, and it cannot determine whether someone will definitely develop a condition. Instead, it provides another piece of information that can be considered alongside family history, lifestyle and other clinical risk factors.
Genetics Is Only Part of the Story
One of the most important things to understand about genetic testing is that genes are not destiny.
While genetic information can provide useful insights, factors such as:
Exercise
Nutrition
Sleep
Smoking status
Alcohol consumption
Environmental exposures
continue to play a major role in overall health and longevity.
The aim of genetic testing is not to predict the future with certainty. Rather, it is to provide information that may help individuals and their healthcare providers make more proactive decisions.
The Importance of Genetic Counselling
Genetic results can sometimes be complex and may raise questions about personal health or family members.
Genetic counselling helps individuals understand:
What the testing can and cannot tell them
The limitations of genetic information
Potential implications for family members
Appropriate next steps following a result
Having professional guidance before and after testing can help ensure that results are interpreted accurately and placed in the correct clinical context.
Is Genetic Testing Right for You?
There is no single answer.
Some people seek testing because of a strong family history of cancer or heart disease. Others are curious about preventative health and want a deeper understanding of their personal risks.
As genetic science continues to evolve, these tools are becoming increasingly valuable as part of a broader preventative healthcare approach.
If you are considering genetic testing, speaking with a qualified genetic counsellor can help you determine which type of testing, if any, may be appropriate for your circumstances.
About Genomic Health
Genomic Health is an Australian genetic counselling and testing service providing personalised genomic healthcare. We help individuals understand inherited health risks, medication response and genetic factors that may influence future health outcomes through evidence-based counselling and testing services.
Contact 📍 2/2 McCourt Street, West Leederville WA 6007
📞 (08) 6424 8555
📱 0417 832 093
🌐 www.genomichealth.com.au
Author: Katrina Harrison, Genetic Counsellor
Having professional guidance before and after testing can help ensure that results are interpreted accurately and placed in the correct clinical context. [Genetic In...nday Times | PDF]
Is Genetic Testing Right for You?
There is no single answer.
Some people seek testing because of a strong family history of cancer or heart disease. Others are curious about preventative health and want a deeper understanding of their personal risks.
As genetic science continues to evolve, these tools are becoming increasingly valuable as part of a broader preventative healthcare approach.
If you are considering genetic testing, speaking with a qualified genetic counsellor can help you determine which type of testing, if any, may be appropriate for your circumstances.
About Genomic Health
Genomic Health is an Australian genetic counselling and testing service providing personalised genomic healthcare. We help individuals understand inherited health risks, medication response and genetic factors that may influence future health outcomes through evidence-based counselling and testing services.
Contact 📍 2/2 McCourt Street, West Leederville WA 6007
📞 (08) 6424 8555
📱 0417 832 093
🌐 www.genomichealth.com.au
Author: Katrina Harrison, Genetic Counsellor