Genetic testing gives you information that no other investigation can: a picture of your inherited risk, your body’s response to certain medications, and the predispositions you may have carried your whole life without knowing.
Your genes influence many aspects of your health, including your susceptibility to certain diseases, how you process medications and, in some cases, how your body responds to diet, exercise and lifestyle factors. However, genetics is only one part of the picture. Most health outcomes are determined by a complex interaction between genes, environment and behaviour.
At The Wright Practice, we use genetic testing selectively and thoughtfully as part of a broader preventative healthcare strategy. The aim is not to predict the future with certainty, but to provide additional information that may help guide healthcare decisions, screening strategies and lifestyle interventions.
Genetic testing may be particularly valuable for individuals who:
Areas where genetic testing may be considered include:
Importantly, carrying a genetic variant does not necessarily mean that a disease will develop. Equally, the absence of a known genetic risk factor does not guarantee protection. Results must always be interpreted in the context of family history, lifestyle, medical history and other risk factors.
For this reason, we place a strong emphasis on pre-test counselling and careful interpretation of results. Understanding what a result means can be just as important as the test itself.
Potential benefits of genetic testing include:
Our goal is to ensure that testing is undertaken for the right reasons and that results provide meaningful, actionable information rather than unnecessary anxiety.
When used appropriately, genetic testing can be a valuable tool within a wider preventative health programme, helping individuals better understand their risks and make informed decisions about their future health.
Your genes influence many aspects of your health, including your susceptibility to certain diseases, how you respond to medications and, in some cases, how your body processes nutrients and exercise. However, genetics is only one piece of the puzzle. Most health outcomes are influenced by a combination of inherited factors, lifestyle, environment and chance.
Preventative genetic testing aims to identify inherited risk factors that may help guide future healthcare decisions. The goal is not to predict the future with certainty, but to provide information that may allow for earlier intervention, more personalised screening and a better understanding of individual health risks.
At The Wright Practice, we use genetic testing as part of a broader preventative healthcare strategy. Testing is always considered within the context of your personal medical history, family history and health goals.
Potential reasons to consider preventative genetic testing include:
Genetic testing may help inform:
Importantly, genetic risk does not mean that a disease will inevitably develop. Equally, favourable genetic results do not guarantee protection. The greatest value often comes from understanding risk and using that information to make informed decisions regarding lifestyle, screening and preventative care.
For many patients, genetic testing provides reassurance. For others, it identifies opportunities to take a more proactive approach to health long before problems develop.
Our role is to help patients understand what their results mean, place them into the correct clinical context and translate them into practical recommendations that support long-term health and wellbeing.
Cardiovascular disease often runs in families. Whilst lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, smoking and weight play an important role, genetics can also significantly influence an individual’s lifetime risk of developing heart disease, stroke and related conditions.
For some people, inherited factors are responsible for elevated cholesterol levels, increased cardiovascular risk or the development of heart disease at a relatively young age despite an otherwise healthy lifestyle.
Cardiovascular risk genetic testing aims to identify inherited variations that may contribute to cardiovascular disease and help guide future screening and prevention strategies.
Testing may be particularly relevant for individuals who:
In some cases, testing may help identify inherited conditions such as Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH), a genetic disorder that causes significantly elevated cholesterol levels and substantially increases the risk of premature cardiovascular disease if left untreated.
Genetic information may also help place other cardiovascular risk markers into context, including:
Importantly, genetic testing is rarely used in isolation. The most meaningful assessment of cardiovascular risk comes from combining genetic information with traditional risk factors, blood biomarkers, lifestyle factors and, where appropriate, cardiovascular imaging such as CT Coronary Calcium Scoring or CT Coronary Angiography.
The purpose of testing is not to create anxiety about inherited risk, but to identify opportunities for earlier intervention and more personalised preventative care.
For some individuals, results may provide reassurance. For others, they may support more intensive screening, earlier treatment or closer monitoring of cardiovascular health.
Our aim is to use genetic information responsibly and pragmatically, helping patients better understand their inherited risk whilst focusing on the factors that can be modified to improve long-term cardiovascular health.
Most cancers occur by chance and are not directly inherited. However, a proportion of cancers are linked to inherited genetic variations that can significantly increase an individual’s lifetime risk of developing certain cancers.
Understanding whether an inherited cancer predisposition exists can help guide screening, surveillance and preventative healthcare decisions for both the individual and, in some cases, their family members.
At The Wright Practice, cancer risk genetic testing is considered for individuals with personal or family histories that suggest an inherited cancer syndrome may be present.
Testing may be particularly relevant for individuals who:
Depending on the circumstances, testing may assess genes associated with increased risk of conditions such as:
Identifying an inherited cancer risk does not mean that cancer will inevitably develop. However, it may allow for:
For some individuals, testing may provide reassurance that a significant inherited risk is unlikely. For others, it may identify an opportunity to implement a more proactive screening programme long before symptoms develop.
Importantly, genetic testing is not appropriate for everyone. Results should always be interpreted alongside personal medical history, family history and other risk factors. Careful consideration before testing is often just as important as the test itself.
Our role is to help patients understand whether genetic testing is likely to be beneficial, interpret results in a clinically meaningful way and develop a personalised strategy for ongoing cancer screening and prevention where appropriate.
When used thoughtfully, genetic testing can provide valuable information that helps guide long-term preventative healthcare and supports more personalised decision-making around cancer risk.
Not everyone responds to medications in the same way. Whilst one person may experience excellent results from a particular treatment, another may find it ineffective or develop unwanted side effects despite taking the same dose.
Pharmacogenomics is the study of how genetic variation influences the way individuals process and respond to medications. By analysing specific genes involved in drug metabolism, it is sometimes possible to gain additional insight into how a person may respond to certain treatments.
At The Wright Practice, pharmacogenomic testing may be considered in selected circumstances where the results have the potential to influence prescribing decisions or help explain previous medication responses.
Testing may be particularly relevant for individuals who:
Depending on the test performed, pharmacogenomics may provide information relating to:
Areas where testing is most commonly discussed include:
It is important to recognise that pharmacogenomics is only one factor influencing medication response. Age, kidney function, liver function, other medications, medical conditions and lifestyle factors can all affect how treatments work in practice.
For this reason, pharmacogenomic testing should be viewed as a tool to support clinical decision-making rather than a definitive guide to prescribing.
In some cases, testing may help explain why previous treatments have been poorly tolerated or ineffective. In others, it may provide additional confidence when selecting between treatment options.
Our aim is to use genetic information where it has genuine clinical value, helping patients and clinicians make more informed decisions whilst avoiding unnecessary testing where results are unlikely to alter management.
When used appropriately, pharmacogenomics can contribute to a more personalised and evidence-based approach to healthcare.
Wow! Dr. Dan was extremely knowledgeable and attentive to my health and well being. I’m so glad to have found him!
I have been going to Dr Wright for a number of years now. He is highly knowledgeable, compassionate, open minded and efficient, I couldn’t recommend him highly enough
I have been a patient of Doctor Dan for some time and continue to consult with him despite having left the UK. Dan has the enthusiasm and energy of a young man, whilst taking the holistic “physician” approach of an old school family doctor, equipped with the most modern insights and technology.
Dr Jain was great. Expert knowledge with practical advice
Yes. Many people with significant genetic variants have no known family history. Testing can provide reassurance or identify a risk that was previously unknown.
No. Genetic testing identifies mutations that increase risk. Having a mutation does not mean you will develop cancer, and not having one does not eliminate the possibility.
Yes. All genetic information is held under strict confidentiality in accordance with UK GDPR. It is not shared with insurers or employers.
In the UK, a voluntary moratorium agreement means most people do not need to disclose genetic test results to insurers for policies below certain financial thresholds. Dr Dan can discuss this before testing.
The cancer panel looks for high-impact mutations in specific genes that significantly raise the risk of certain cancers. The polygenic risk score assesses thousands of smaller variants to produce a statistical risk estimate. They answer different questions and are often most useful when used together.
Yes. The Extended Cancer, Medication Response, and Heart Panel includes pharmacogenomic testing.
Typically two to four weeks depending on the panel.
That is ultimately your decision. If a significant mutation is identified, Dr Dan will discuss the implications for relatives and can provide a summary letter to help facilitate those conversations if you choose to share.
Book online | Call: +44 (0)207 139 1833 | Email: info@thewrightpractice.com
101 Harley Street, London, W1G 6AH
Rated ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ from 192 Reviews
