Women

Women’s Health Requires Attention!

Communities and countries and ultimately the world are only as strong as the health of their women.”

Michelle Obama, TED talk, 13th March, 20141

The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined health not just as the absence of disease, but rather a state of physical, mental, and social well-being. This message is particularly vital with respect to women's health as care across the lifespan—from adolescence through maturity. Too often the focus is purely on reproductive health needs, and as vital as that message is, obstetrician/gynecologists care for women over all stages of life. The focus on disease prevention and health maximization needs to be an enduring message. The foundation of this message is lifestyle choices i.e., proper dietary preferences, regular exercise, and avoidance of habits that shorten lives and exacerbate adverse health conditions. Smoking, alcohol consumption, exposure to toxic substances all impact health adversely. Unfortunately, looking at women's health globally, we have failed women tremendously to understand her health. Women has been provided with inadequate access to reproductive health needs that are basic elements of health care: contraception, fertility awareness and access, and abortion are all important parts of a spectrum to assist women in optimal planning for their reproductive needs.1

Addressing The Burden of Chronic Diseases in Women’s Life

Globally, the world is facing an epidemic of chronic disease. 2

“Chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes are the number one killer of women in the world and are responsible for huge individual and societal costs.” 2

Whilst often ignored and not mentioned in the WHO’s Millennium Development Goals (MDG), The International Council on Women’s Health Issues (ICOWHI) recognizes the substantial impact chronic diseases have on women’s health, both in the developed and developing world. A life course approach to health will reduce the risk of many chronic diseases. 2

Benefits of Genetic Testing in Women

Genetic tests improve the understanding of the risk of future metachronous cancers in patients, which can be prevented by employing appropriate surgical or nonsurgical prophylactic measures. Clinician and genetic counsellors can prevent an nearly inevitable cancer in previvors. Appropriate preventive steps are available for several non-BRCA genes, like PALB2, CHEK2, and ATM1. 3

Further, looking at the bone health, genome-wide association studies have identified more than 500 genetic loci harbouring common genetic variants influencing bone mineral density (BMD), a major risk factor for age-related osteoporosis, and lifetime fracture risk. BMD shows a heritability of 50% to 85% and common genetic variants explain about 25% of the BMD variance. Likewise, common polymorphisms in the LRP5, LRP6, and WNT1 gene loci predispose to low BMD. Genetic risk scores (GRSs, also called polygenic risk scores) based on such predisposing polymorphisms have been developed for many common conditions and can be integrated into clinical routine to have early diagnosis and management.4

Give her Wings to Fly!!!

MyDNA Femina GeneScan is genetic test that is carefully designed to assess 40+ conditions that can affect women’s health in her lifetime. This test can give information regarding risk of metabolic syndrome, nutrition, sleep, cancer, bones as well as obesity that is significant for any women’s health. The information can be helpful to pen down the management plan well in advance to transform the future for the better. The following parameters can be assessed:

• Endocrine: Type 2 diabetes, Hypothyroidism, Endometriosis, Premature menopause, Obesity
• Oncology : Breast cancer, Ovarian cancer,
• Bones: Bone mineral density, Rheumatoid arthritis, Disc degeneration
• Food Allergies: Peanut allergy, Lactose intolerance, Celiac disease/Gluten intolerance
• Dietary Sensitivities: Response to dietary fat, Sodium Sensitivity, Saturated Fat Sensitivity
• Sleep: Sleep cycle, Sleep duration, Sleep depth
• Lifestyle: Nicotine dependence, Addiction to alcohol, Caffeine consumption, Antioxidant capacity
• Nutrition: Vitamin D, C, B9, B6, B12, A, Iron, Magnesium Biotin and Calcium levels, Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), Protein consumption, Iron overload, Dietary fibre
• Cardiac: Low density cholesterol levels (LDL), High density cholesterol levels (HDL), Homocysteine levels, Triglycerides, Blood pressure

Why Choose MyDNA Femina Genescan?

•  In-Depth Health Understanding: Gain comprehensive insights into your health for informed decision-making.
•  Chronic Condition Risk Assessment: Identify risks related to diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, osteoporosis, arthritis, and cancer.
•  Personalized Health Plans: Receive tailored nutrition, exercise, and daily care recommendations for preventive health measures.
•  Menopause and Beyond: Understand menopausal conditions and take proactive steps for a smoother transition.

Who Should Take MyDNA Femina Genescan?

•  Women with a family history of genetic disorders or diseases.
•  Those seeking preventive measures for heart or bone health deterioration.
•  Females with a family history of premature menopause or other illnesses.
•  Those aspiring to maintain a proper diet and exercise routine for daily care.

How Do We Analyse?

Polygenic Risk Score

Based on Polygenic Risk Score (PRS), this report is generated. A polygenic risk score (PRS) estimates an individual’s genetic risk (predisposition) for a trait or condition. PRS takes the sum (aggregate) of SNPs to calculate an overall genetic risk for a particular condition.

How it works?

Order a Kit

Sample Collection: A technician will visit you to perform the test & collect the saliva sample, ensuring the process is quick, accurate and convenient.

Lab Processing & Data Analysis

Report Generation

Access Your Results: Log into your account or check your email.

Schedule your Genetic Counselling

References :

1. Anjana RM, Unnikrishnan R, Deepa M, Pradeepa R, Tandon N, Das AK, Joshi S, Bajaj S, Jabbar PK, Das HK, Kumar A, Dhandhania VK, Bhansali A, Rao PV, Desai A, Kalra S, Gupta A, Lakshmy R, Madhu SV, Elangovan N, Chowdhury S, Venkatesan U, Subashini R, Kaur T, Dhaliwal RS, Mohan V; ICMR-INDIAB Collaborative Study Group. Metabolic non-communicable disease health report of India: the ICMR-INDIAB national cross-sectional study (ICMR-INDIAB-17). Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2023 Jun 7:S2213-8587(23)00119-5. doi: 10.1016/S2213-8587(23)00119-5.
2. Prabhakaran D, Jeemon P, Roy A. Cardiovascular Diseases in India: Current Epidemiology and Future Directions. Circulation. 2016 Apr 19;133(16):1605-20. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.114.008729.
3. Chaturvedi V, Parakh N, Seth S, Bhargava B, Ramakrishnan S, Roy A, et al. Heart failure in India: The INDUS (INDia Ukieri Study) study. J Pract Cardiovasc Sci 2016;2:28-35.