What is a predictive test?
This is a test performed on a sample from a healthy individual to find out whether they have inherited a gene fault that may eventually cause symptoms of a disorder. Examples of this include Huntington disease, myotonic dystrophy and some of the familial cancers. Predictive tests are only offered to people who are known to be at risk of a genetic disorder because of their family history. The test can only be done when the nature of the genetic change is known. Because it is a difficult and sometimes life-changing decision for a healthy and symptom-free person to have a predictive test, it is only offered after genetic counselling and when sufficient time has elapsed for an individual to think carefully about all of the implications for themselves and their relatives. Individuals wanting more information about predictive testing should contact their GP for a referral to see a member of the medical genetics team.
