Frequently Asked Questions
Most frequent questions and answers
Genetic screening is a type of test that identifies changes in genes. The results can confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition or help determine a person’s chance of developing or passing on a genetic disorder including Cancer.
Many diseases do not show signs or symptoms. By the time it surfaced or is noticed it may be too late.
The normal blood test only provides a diagnostic report, without knowing if you’re actually carrying a mutated disease-related gene!
A molecule composed of 2 chains coiled around each other to form a double helix carrying genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth and reproduction of all known organisms.
DNA screening identifies changes in genes, inherited from our parents, which can be passed on to the next generation.
- To determine the heredity of mutated genes related to cancer/ disease.
- To consider early preventive or precaution measures towards cancer/ disease.
To be aware of the presence of hereditary mutated genes and to take preventive measures prior to developing cancer/ disease.
- those with a family history of cancer, diabetes, heart diseases or hereditary diseases
- those who are on medications
ONCE in a lifetime.
mRNA is a large family of RNA molecules that convey genetic information from DNA to specify the protein products of gene expression.
mRNA screening can identify real-time changes in gene expression levels before it progresses into a disease or tumour.
- When a CT, MRI, PEP scan views an ‘image’, it means a tumour has already formed!
- mRNA can screen the mutated gene expression level BEFORE a tumour is formed!
- Early detection prevents the occurrence of a disease
- To monitor the changes in gene expression that indicates a disease to relapse, like cancer
- To determine the types of treatment or medications suitable for a patient
Knowing the expression level of the genes will enable your Doctor to take preventive, proactive treatment measures.
- Post-diseased patients to monitor relapse of cancer
- Those on long term medication
Annually depending on the individual and the health conditions of a person
Blood Test | DNA | mRNA |
Diagnostic test | Hereditary test | External (environmental) impact test |
Changes due to internal/ external factors | Static (does not change) | Real-time (keeps on changing) |
As early as stage 0 of cancer.
It means that the expression of the mutated gene related to a certain cancer and can cause its development is present.
No. Blood test reveals the end-results of a disease.
Cancer recurs because small number of cancer cells may remain in the body after treatment.
Conducting an annual mRNA screening to monitor the progression of these cells’ mutation will help gauge the necessary measures to be taken.
WES sequences only 1.5% of the whole human genome which is 30 million base pairs
WGS sequences the complete DNA of an organism. In a human there are about 3.3 billion base pairs of a whole genome
| WGS | WES |
Sequencing region | Whole genome | Whole exome |
Coverage | intron (non-protein coding region) and exons intron (protein coding region) | Covers only exons |
Total size | 3.3 billion base pairs | 30 million base pairs |