At Eugene, we speak with people every day who are proactive about their health. They exercise, eat well, attend check-ups with their GP, and still find themselves wondering:
“If I feel healthy, do I really need genetic testing?”
It’s a thoughtful question, and an important one. Preventative genetic testing isn’t about looking for problems that aren’t there. It’s about understanding your health more deeply, so you can protect it in the long term.
Feeling well doesn’t always mean free from genetic risk
Whats important to note is, your genes don’t cause symptoms - until they do.
Many inherited conditions remain silent for years. In fact, around 6% of the population carry a gene change that can significantly impact their cancer or cardiovascular risk - often without any symptoms at all. Genetic testing helps uncover these risks early, when there’s still time to act.
You can feel healthy and energised, have normal blood test results, do everything “right” for your health and still have an inherited risk you wouldn’t otherwise know about.
Genetic testing looks at what’s beneath the surface, long before symptoms appear, and while there’s still time to act.
Why family history doesn’t tell the full story
It’s common to assume genetic testing is only relevant if disease runs in your family. But family history can be incomplete:
- Families are small.
- Diagnoses can be missed or records might be unavailable.
- Not everyone with a gene change will develop disease
That’s why many people who discover a clinically significant genetic variant don’t have a known family history at all. Genetic testing helps fill these gaps, offering clarity where family history alone can’t.
What preventative genetic testing looks for
Preventative genetic testing focuses on actionable genes - findings that can guide screening, monitoring, or lifestyle changes.
Depending on the test, this can include risks for:
- Certain cancers (breast, bowel, ovarian, prostate)
- Inherited heart conditions
- Other conditions where early detection makes a difference
This isn’t about predicting the future. It’s about giving you information early, so your healthcare can be personalised to you.
For most people, results are reassuring
We often hear people say: “I’m worried about what I might find.”
The good news? For most people, genetic testing is reassuring. Most results rule out major inherited risks, and for those who do carry a gene change (about 3 in 20 people) this information guides earlier screening, monitoring, or preventative care plans.
Either way, the result brings clarity, and clarity makes it easier to make confident, long-term health decisions.
A clear result can help you:
- Rule out major inherited risks
- Reduce “what if” worries
- Feel confident in your current health plan
- Focus on what truly matters
Sometimes knowing what isn’t a risk is just as empowering as knowing what is.
If something is identified, support comes with it
A genetic result doesn’t mean something bad will happen. It means you have options.
Most findings come with established medical guidance, such as:
- Earlier or more tailored screening
- Lifestyle or medication considerations
- Specialist referrals where appropriate
Importantly, preventative genetic testing includes access to genetic counselling, so results are explained with care, context, and clarity.
Knowledge creates opportunity. Early knowledge creates prevention.
So, do you need genetic testing if you feel healthy?
Preventative genetic testing isn’t about diagnosing illness.
It’s about:
- Understanding your personal risk
- Reducing uncertainty
- Supporting long-term health
If you feel healthy today, genetic insights can help you stay healthy tomorrow.
It might be especially relevant if you:
- Have a family history of cancer or heart disease
- Want clarity about inherited health risks
- Take a proactive approach to long-term health
Explore preventative genetic testing
If you’re considering genetic testing, learning about your options is the best place to start.
Discover how preventative genetic testing works, what it covers, and how it fits into a proactive approach to health.
