Many diseases are inherited, to understand a patient’s future health risks we therefore study their family history.

In some cases families may have a genetic mutation that predisposes them to certain conditions. In such cases genetic counselling and, if the patient agrees, genetic studies are recommended.

These enable us to anticipate the onset of disease, reducing the possibility of developing it as much as possible or taking appropriate measures to diagnose it early.

At the initial genetic counselling consultation, the patient’s family tree is established, specifying the diseases of each family member. Depending on the results obtained, and with the patient’s agreement, a study of their genome (the set of genes contained in the chromosomes, i.e. genetic material) will be carried out.

Genetic testing indicates what may happen, or how likely it is to happen, although it does not mean that the patient will always end up developing the detected disease.
It is considered that in 70% of cases of detection, lifestyle habits and environmental factors can have an influence on prevention, or at least delay as much as possible, the disease to which someone is genetically predisposed.

These are diseases that the patient is developing but which initially show no symptoms. If not detected in time they can have a significant impact on the body, negatively affecting the patient’s health.

Examples of silent diseases are diabetes, hepatitis, hypertension, cancer, anaemia, fatty liver disease, osteoporosis, coronary heart disease, autoimmune diseases…

These silent diseases may sometimes be discoverable, preventive checks allow us to uncover certain signs that can lead to an early diagnosis.