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Family History of Breast Cancer? Check Your Bumps for Lumps

Do you know someone who has had, or currently has breast cancer? It would be surprising if you answered ‘No’ to this question, as it touches the lives of so many. Breast cancer is a significant health concern in the Philippines, with a cancer expert recently claiming that the disease is bordering on pandemic proportions.

The most common in the world, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among Filipino women. According to the Philippine Cancer Society, breast cancer comprises 16% of all newly diagnosed cancers in the Philippines. 2020 data from the World Health Organisation said there were 86,484 cases of cancer in the Philippines, of which, 27,163 were breast cancers. Sadly, breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Filipino women, and accounts for approximately 10% of cancer-related deaths in the country. Most commonly occurring in women over the age of 40, breast cancer doesn’t discriminate, and can also affect younger people. Dr. Perry Wilson, associate professor of medicine and Yale research director, writes about this in his article in Medscape. He discusses the benefit of genetic testing in younger patients, and how far genetic testing has advanced, making it a viable and affordable option for all.

There are a number of risk factors which contribute to the development of breast cancer in the Philippines, including family history of breast cancer, genetic mutations (such as BRCA1 and BRCA2), hormonal factors, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, alcohol consumption, and certain reproductive factors.

Regarding genetic mutations, BRCA1 and BRCA2 are two genes that play a crucial role in the development of breast and ovarian cancer. Mutations in these genes are associated with a significantly increased risk of developing these types of cancer.

So, what exactly are these genes? The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are involved in DNA repair and maintaining the stability of the cell’s genetic material. They help prevent uncontrolled cell growth and the formation of tumours. BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations can be inherited from either parent. If an individual inherits a mutation in one of these genes, they have an increased risk of developing breast, ovarian, and certain other types of cancer during their lifetime. Sadly, BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are also linked to an increased risk of other types of cancer, including pancreatic, prostate, and male breast cancer, however it’s important to note that while BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are strongly associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, not all individuals with these mutations will develop cancer.

For those wanting to further explore and confirm whether they carry certain hereditary gene mutations that may be responsible for certain cancers, the Specialised Inherited Male & Female Cancer Panel is available from EasyDNA Philippines. This clinical test looks for a total of 79 Genes for the male panel and 74 Genes for the female panel. The Inherited Cancer Panel can serve as a powerful tool for early intervention and can assist in preparing you to take the steps necessary to reduce your changes of developing certain cancers, including breast cancer. This test can identify mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and can help determine the risk of developing cancer and inform decisions about screening, prevention, and treatment options.

For Filipinos concerned about the likelihood of developing cancer of any type, EasyDNA is a great starting point for genetic screening tests. Let’s band together to stop being cancer statistics!

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The Motherload – Navigating Safe Motherhood

Mothering is a hard gig! It brings equal challenges and rewards to all mums. In the Philippines, women start their families from a young age, with the average age being around 24 years for a first child. More than one million babies are born in the Philippines each year, making parenting a highly important role in society.

Safe Motherhood Week in the Philippines is an annual event that is observed in the second week in May. The event aims to promote safe motherhood practices and raise awareness about maternal and newborn health issues in the country. The theme for Safe Motherhood Week varies each year, but it always focuses on improving maternal health and reducing maternal mortality.

In recent years, the Philippines has been working to improve maternal and newborn health, with the government implementing various programs and initiatives to address the issue. Safe Motherhood Week serves as a platform for various stakeholders to come together and share information, experiences, and best practices on maternal and newborn health.

During Safe Motherhood Week, various activities are organized, including health education sessions, seminars, workshops, and community outreach programs. These activities are aimed at educating and empowering women and their families on the importance of safe motherhood practices and the steps they can take to ensure a healthy pregnancy and childbirth.

Currently, all Philippines-born babies are screened for five common conditions including congenital hypothyroidism, cystic fibrosis, amino acid disorders including phenylketonuria, organic acidemias and fatty acid oxidation defects.

For those who want to have the best possible start into motherhood, there are a range of things you can do to ensure that your baby is healthy, before you even meet them! Mothers wanting peace of mind about their baby can invest in a number of prenatal tests from EasyDNA Philippines. The prenatal suite includes:

Prenatal Peace – a non-invasive test, requiring no risky amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. The Prenatal Peace test screens for a number of genetic conditions and provides accurate results in a timely manner. This test is 100% safe, and screens for 18 genetic conditions, including Down syndrome, Turner’s syndrome and Trisomy 9. Starting at just 10 weeks of pregnancy and using only a maternal blood sample, this test can provide more accurate results compared to traditional screening methods. A standard blood draw is all that is required to undertake the DNA test; however it should be noted that this does not replace a diagnostic test.

Newborn Genetic Test – This NOVA test is suitable for newborns and children up to 5 years of age. NOVA screens for 50 inherited disorders, which have a combined prevalence rate of 1 in every 400 births. This unique test aims to achieve early detection, referral and treatment of all babies identified as high risk of these disorders.

Overall, Safe Motherhood Week in the Philippines is an important event that helps raise awareness and promote safe motherhood practices, which can ultimately lead to better maternal and newborn health outcomes in the country. Motherhood is a challenge but also an ultimate privilege – enjoy every moment!

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Time to Celebrate – 75 Years of World Health Day

Do you ever look at the images on your social media pages and think, “Wow, how do they look so good?” or “I wish I were as healthy as that person.”? Life is busy. We often have all the best intentions of getting fit, losing weight, moving more and eating healthier, but sometimes, our busy schedules get in the way, and before you know it, the day is over and you’re exhausted and ready for bed. Forget New Year’s resolutions, what about turning over a new leaf in April? If your health journey has taken a turn for the worse, or if you’re in a bit of a slump, now is the perfect time to shake it up and do a master reset on your overall health.

World Health Day is on April 7, and 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of this momentous day. In 1948, countries of the world came together and founded the World Health Organisation (WHO) to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable, with the aim of providing improvements in health to all, regardless of their location, race or financial status. This year’s theme is Health for All, with some of the key messages including:

  • A vison that all people have good health for a fulfilling life in a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.
  • The right to health is a basic human right. Everyone must have access to the health services they need when and where they need them without financial hardship.
  • Almost two billion people face catastrophic or impoverishing health spending, with significant inequalities affecting those in the most vulnerable settings.
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These are all important things to consider, when thinking about our own, and the health of others. So, what can you do on a personal level if you want to improve your health? Surprisingly, the answer could start with your own DNA.

The DNA Diet & Healthy Weight Test from EasyDNA Philippines can help you to take the first steps in moving towards a healthier, and as a result, happier life. This test provides personalised weight management, fitness and nutrition advice based on your genetic makeup. Your results will closely analyse your food intake, helping you understand the interaction between what you eat and your genetic makeup as well as provide a recommended diet plan that can help you reach your goals. Your 70-page results report will have you on the right track to feeling better about what’s on the inside, and the outside!

Your results will include useful information about:

  • Your weight loss ability: is your body a weight loss wonder, or are you more geared towards slow and steady weight loss? Your genes hold the answers.
  • Carbs, proteins and fats: What are the right recommendations of fats, carbs and proteins for your genetic makeup but also for your age, height and gender?
  • Nutrients & vitamins: What nutrients and vitamins do you need? Vitamins and micronutrients support functions in our body which affect your weight. All will be revealed in your results.
  • Cardio response/strength training/exercise regimes: How intense should your workouts be? How often should you be working out?

EasyDNA Philippines also has a wealth of other health and wellness tests, including:

Celiac Disease Genetic Testing – Discover if you have the genes associated with Celiac Disease.

Lactose Intolerance Test – Feeling sick after dairy foods? You could be lactose intolerant.

Children’s DNA Discovery – Find our how genetics affects your child’s behaviour, personality, and physical traits.

Intolerance Sensitivity Test – Rashes? Skin Problems? Feeling strangely Ill? You could have an intolerance.

So, it’s obvious that there’s a health test to help make everyone a better version of their current self. Take control of your health this World Health Day, and become a champion of your own health.

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Get Your Gut Right – Digestive Health Week

Did you ever get that terrible, aching, painful feeling in your stomach after eating certain foods? It’s sometimes a sensation that can’t be described but can leave you feeling bloated and tired for hours after. It may even result in you spending a fair bit of time in the bathroom, if you know what I mean! For many people, an upset stomach is a rarity, and is often self-inflicted due to over-indulgence, meaning that there’s no one to blame but yourself, but what if you felt sick after every meal of the day? Maybe it’s something more serious, like an allergy or an intolerance.

Surprisingly, there are a countless foods that you can develop an intolerance to. For Filipinos, the most common food intolerances are egg, wheat, peanuts, shellfish and milk. An intolerance is difference to an allergy, in that intolerances are caused by a deficient enzyme in the digestive system or a chemical substance in the food such as carbohydrates like lactose or glucose, or food additives or toxins which may irritate the digestive system. Allergies on the other hand, are caused by an abnormal reaction of the immune system against certain substances or proteins within foods. These substances are known as allergens. Intolerances can occur from birth or can develop over one’s lifetime.

In the Philippines, March 5-11 marks Digestive Health Week, an initiative aiming to encourage Filipinos to take charge of their gut health and take positive steps towards a healthier gut. For those interested, there are organised events on March 5 and 8, established by the Philippine Society of Gastroenterology.

For those wanting some more definitive answers as to what might be contributing to their gut issues, a DNA test from EasyDNA Philippines. Offering a wide range of health testing services, the suite of DNA tests has something for all conditions and curiosities. One of the key factors that affects your health is your unique genetic code, and by looking at selected genes and understanding their impact on an individual, health tests can help improve your health and pave the path to wellness and vitality. For gut related concerns, there are three tests that may provide peace of mind.

Celiac Disease Genetic Testing – Celiac disease is a serious genetic autoimmune disorder and could lead to long-term complications that could adversely affect your life. Around 83% of celiac diseases suffers go undiagnosed. Could you be one of them?

Lactose intolerance – A lactose intolerance test will establish whether you carry certain a gene mutation which makes you unable to produce the enzyme which helps digest lactose. This test may be beneficial if you experience extreme discomfort, bloating and indigestion after eating dairy foods.

Intolerance Sensitivity Test – Did you know that skin irritations, migraines and constipation can be caused by a food intolerance? This test examines a range of food items including common foods and everyday fridge items, and non-food items such as pets and pollens. This test covers more than 800 trigger items, and testing includes a nutritional deficiency, metal toxicity, gut biome and hormonal balance analysis.

So, if you have a gut feeling that all isn’t right with your insides, get on board with Digestive Health Week, and try a DNA test that can help to answer your questions about your internal health.

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Dance into February with Down Syndrome Consciousness Month!

The discovery of a pregnancy is a special time in the lives of expectant parents. It is filled with questions and wonderings about so many aspects of the impending baby. Will they look like Mum, or Dad? Will they sleep well? Will they lead successful lives? One of the most wished for things is that the new baby is healthy, born without physical or neurological impairment. Sadly, this is not always how things eventuate, and babies are sometimes born with a disability or medical condition, requiring special care during their childhood, and sometimes throughout their lives.

One of the most well-known conditions that is quite prevalent in today’s society is Down Syndrome. This condition occurs when a baby is born with an extra piece of genetic material known as a chromosome. People with down syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome 21. This is known as a trisomy, and down syndrome is often also referred to as Trisomy 21. Trisomy changes how a baby’s brain and body develop and can result in a range of disabilities of varying severity. Physically, a person with down syndrome usually has some common identifying traits, which can include:

  • A flattened face, especially the bridge of the nose
  • Almond-shaped eyes that slant up
  • A short neck
  • A tongue that tends to stick out of the mouth
  • Tiny white spots on the iris (coloured part) of the eye
  • A single line across the palm of the hand (palmar crease)
  • Poor muscle tone or loose joints

Down syndrome also affects a person’s intellectual capabilities, however most young people with down syndrome enjoy a very typical life, with a range of support needs that can be minimal or more complex, depending on the individual.

In the Philippines, down syndrome is more common than you might think, with 1 in 800 babies being born with the condition, that’s 1 baby with down syndrome being born every 4 hours. February is National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month, which encourages everyone to learn a little more about this unique condition, to be accepting of the differences displayed by people with down syndrome, and to better support families living with a person with down syndrome.

One of the most popular ways that Filipinos can celebrate diversity during this consciousness month is to engage in Happy Walk, an annual activity that promotes awareness, acceptance, and inclusivity of persons with Down syndrome into society. This year, after a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Happy Walk is back! Join with friends at the SM Mall of Asia for a morning of fun, while advocating for acceptance and social inclusion. Persons with a love of dance can also upload videos of themselves showing off their best dance moves to either TikTok or Facebook until February 15. Use the hashtags #happywalk2023showdown or #happywalk2023 to get yourself seen!

The prospect of having a baby born with down syndrome can be worrying and confronting, but there are things you can do to learn more about your chances of having a baby with this condition. As down syndrome is a genetic condition, there is a DNA screening test available for expectant parents who are interested in discovering if their unborn child may have the condition.

The Prenatal Peace genetic screening test from EasyDNA Philippines is non-invasive, requiring no risky amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. A standard blood draw is all that is required to undertake the DNA test; however it should be noted that this does not replace a diagnostic test. The Prenatal Peace test also screens for 17 other genetic conditions and provides accurate results in a timely manner.

National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month is a great time to learn more about this unique condition, and to embrace the people who live with it. Remember that kindness, acceptance, and inclusivity are basic needs for all humans!

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Festive Season Fails: How to Get Back on Track

Christmas is a special time, when we celebrate with family and friends, embarking on our special traditions, which often include worship, feasts, and social events. It’s a time when we relax a little and leave our usual routines behind, but sometimes, it can be hard to refocus and reset ourselves. Did you enjoy the festive season a little too much? Maybe you indulged in too much lechon, puto bumbong or bibingka and are feeling that your pants are a little bit too tight! The new year is upon us, and traditionally, it’s a time to forget about the past and look to the future, and this means taking time to look after ourselves a bit better!

Sadly, it’s not just Christmas that is to blame for those tight pants. The COVID-19 pandemic has also taken a toll on the health and well being of Filipinos, with the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) noting an increase in the prevalence of obesity since the onset of COVID, especially among children and young adults.

Astonishingly, around 27 million Filipinos are considered to be overweight or obese. So, how does obesity happen? Obesity happen in all the ways you would imagine. Drinking too much alcohol, eating out a lot, eating more than what you need, having too many sweets, and comfort eating are all causes of obesity and weight gain. Similarly, lack of physical activity is another important factor related to obesity. Many people have jobs that involve sitting at a desk for most of the day. They also rely on their cars, rather than walking. If you are not active enough in your day-to-day life, the human body stores the energy you consume as fat, which of course, makes you fat!

If you’re feeling less than healthy after the festive season but can’t quite get motivated to make a fresh start, then perhaps you need a helping hand to get back on track. The DNA Diet & Healthy Weight Test can help to understand why the numbers on the scales just won’t shift. It provides personalised weight management, fitness and nutrition advice based on your genetic makeup. Your results will closely analyse your food intake, helping you understand the interaction between what you eat and your genetic makeup as well as provide a recommended diet plan that can help you reach your goals. Your 70-page results report will have you on the right track to feeling better about what’s on the inside, and the outside!

Your results will include useful information about:

  • Your weight loss ability: is your body a weight loss wonder, or are you more geared towards slow and steady weight loss? How able is your body at losing weight? Your genes hold the answers.
  • Carbs, proteins and fats: what proportions of fat, carbohydrate and proteins should you have in your diet? What are the right recommendations for your genetic makeup but also for your age, height and gender?

 

  • Nutrients & vitamins: What nutrients and vitamins do you need? Vitamins and micronutrients support functions in our body which affect your weight. All will be revealed in your results.

 

  • Cardio response/strength training/exercise regimes: How does your genetic profile affect your response to cardio exercises? How intense should your workouts be? How often?

 This comprehensive test can be taken at home, with our convenient home test kit. The kit includes everything you need to undertake a DNA mouth swab test and comes with comprehensive instructions and a pre-addressed return envelope.

There really is no better time than right now to reassess your health choices, and to get back into your regular routine. You know what they say, ‘New Year, New You’, and you even if you only want the pre-Christmas you back, then EasyDNA Philippines can help!

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The Tale Behind the Tail: Know Your Dog

We all love our pets. They keep us company when we’re at home, they protect our properties, and they warmly welcome us at the end of the working day. Pets are used as an exercise buddy, as a therapy animal, and teach us how to be caring and compassionate. In the Philippines, pet ownership is at an all-time high thanks to recent COVID events, which saw people staying home for extended lengths of time. People wanted a small positive in their lives at a time when things were quite negative and uncertain.

We all know the saying; A dog is man’s best friend, and for Filipinos, it’s definitely true! There are almost 12 million dog owners in the Philippines, with 67% of people having a dog in their house. Cat ownership is also strong, but overall, dogs are 5 times more popular than cats. For Filipinos, small dogs are a clear favourite, with the Shih Tzu being the most popular breed for dog lovers. These dogs make great companions and are small enough to live in an apartment or small house comfortably with a family.

Shih Tzus originate from China, and have a reputation for being loyal and friendly dogs, but what if you want to know more about your pampered pet? How do you find out what really makes their tail wag? Like people, a dog’s features, temperament, and predisposition to disease is linked to their unique genetic code. EasyDNA Philippines has designed the PetGen canine test for those who want to gain extensive knowledge about the genetics that make their dog a much-loved member of the family. PetGen is an all-in-one test, an affordable tool for breeders and dog owners who want to create a life plan for their dog, based on the comprehensive results received. This is the most extensive canine test on the market, covering and providing information about:

  • Breeds + Personalized Breed Certificate.
  • Breed Identification Breakdown percentage + Breed history.
  • Predicted Size and Life Expectancy.
  • Genetic Diseases.
  • Hair/Coat Trait.
  • Behaviour Trait + score.
  • Single-gene genetic disease detection.
  • Complex disease detection.

The results will be returned to you in the form a breed certificate and a 25-page report, which will provide information about your dog’s breed (mixed and pure). You will receive breed history exclusive to your dog, which relays important temperament and environment information, as well as predicted size and life expectancy. You will also receive important information about genetic diseases specific to your dog’s breed, which in turn can help you to prevent their onset.

So, how do you get your dog’s DNA sample? It’s easier than you might think, and only requires a simple, painless mouth swab, just like you would take if you were providing your own DNA for testing. You’ll receive full instructions in the kit provided to you. All you have to include with your samples is a photo of your dog, which will be returned to you with your results and breed certificate.

Your dog is an important part of your family, so why not discover how you can best ensure they have a happy, healthy life, and reveal their unique breed and traits today!

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Join the Conversation this World Diabetes Day: An Event For Every Juan!

 There are many conditions and diseases that we associate with certain demographics of people, and we often make a lot of generalisations about the health of a person based on their gender, age, and weight. Only old people get Alzheimer’s, only women get breast cancer, only smokers get lung cancer. All of these are health myths and have never been substantiated. Another generalisation we make is that ‘only overweight and unhealthy people develop diabetes’, which is untrue. Diabetes can affect people at any age, weight, or gender, and worldwide, more than 415 million people live with this chronic disease. In the Philippines, around 1 in every 14 adults is diagnosed with diabetes, which is highly alarming.

So, what exactly is diabetes? Basically, diabetes occurs when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot use the insulin that it produces in an effective way. Insulin is the hormone that regulates blood sugar. Heightened blood sugar can damage the body’s vital systems, causing a person to become dangerously ill. There are 3 types of diabetes:

Type 1: An autoimmune condition where the immune system destroys the cells that produce insulin. Without insulin, the body’s cells cannot turn glucose into energy. People with type 1 diabetes depend on insulin every day of their lives to replace the insulin the body cannot produce. They must test their blood glucose levels several times throughout the day.

Type 2: Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to the normal effects of insulin and loses the capacity to produce enough insulin. With strong ties to family risk factors, Type 2 diabetes can be slowed down with changes to diet and physical activity.

Gestational: This occurs during pregnancy as a result of hormonal changes, but usually disappears after the baby is born.

November 14 is World Diabetes Day, to raise awareness about the causes, treatments and research being done to help stamp out diabetes. In 2022, the theme for the Philippines is ‘Diabetes 101 for Every Juan’. Everyone can join in a nation-wide conversation that will be streamed live via the Philippine Star’s Facebook page. Dr. Cecilia Jimeno and Bryan S. Posadas, MBA will be leading and educating discussion that will teach you the ins and outs of living with, and treatment of diabetes.

For those wanting to check their chances of developing diabetes during their lifetime, and to research if they have a genetic link to the disease, the Genetic Predisposition Test will reveal if you have a genetic tendency towards developing diabetes, as well as 33 other diseases and conditions. It will also tell you if you are at a higher risk of developing a particular disease and will uncover your estimated lifetime risk compared to the average population. By analysing key markers associated with diseases including Multiple Sclerosis, Heart Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, and a range of cancers, the Genetic Predisposition Test provides you with the knowledge that can help you take the first steps in preparing for a healthier future, and to prevent the onset of Type 1 and 2 Diabetes

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Now is the perfect time to take charge of your own health, do some in-depth investigation into your dietary and lifestyle habits. Organise a DNA test today, and be on your way to a happier, healthier, and longer life! Log on to the Facebook Live on November 14 and increase your knowledge about diabetes. Your pancreas will thank you!

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Best Breasts: Be Aware, and Take Care

 

We all know that taking care of our bodies is an important key to leading a long and healthy life, and every day, we make conscious decisions to eat better and move more, however, our health is not just about fuelling our bodies and keeping them active. There are other things that we should be 

doing regularly to keep our health on track, things that you may not think of, but could be lifesaving. 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to be reminded that despite awareness programs and education surrounding this killer disease, breast cancer is the number one cancer that affects Filipino women and is the third leading cause of death. Men too should be made aware of the dangers of breast cancer, as according to the Philippine Cancer Society, one man in every 1000 will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. For a variety of reasons, breast cancer diagnosis often comes at a late stage, making treatment difficult and survival rates lower than they are in other countries.

So, what can we do to help stamp out breast cancer in the Philippines? Surprisingly, the measures can be simple enough to become a part of your everyday life. We all know that regular exercise, consuming the right food, avoiding alcohol and smoking, and adopting good sleep habits could lower the risk of breast cancer, but these do not remove the risk altogether. Perhaps the main key to reducing breast cancer deaths is early detection, in the form of self-examination and mammograms. Mammograms are effective in detecting even early-stage breast cancers and are especially important for women over 40. However, self-examination can be done at home, in the shower, and doesn’t cost a cent.

Sadly, between 5 and 10% of breast cancer cases have a genetic cause, meaning that mutated genes can be passed on from parent to child. For those people who have a family history of breast cancer and want to see if they hold a genetic tendency to developing this killer disease, there are a number of genetic testing options available from EasyDNA Philippines. The Genetic Predisposition Health Test and the Inherited Diseases Panel are great options for those who seek clarity about their potential health future.

The Genetic Predisposition Test will reveal if you have a genetic tendency towards developing breast cancer, as well as 33 other diseases and conditions. It will also tell you if you are at a higher risk of developing a particular disease and will uncover your estimated lifetime risk compared to the average population. By analysing key markers associated with particular diseases including Multiple Sclerosis, Heart Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, Type 1 and 2 Diabetes, and a range of cancers, the Genetic Predisposition Test provides you with the knowledge that can help you take the first steps in preparing for a healthier future, and to prevent the onset of breast cancer.

The Inherited Diseases Panel tests over 300 genes with over 700 unique inherited diseases. According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, “An inherited trait is one that is genetically determined. Inherited traits are passed from parent to offspring according to the rules of Mendelian genetics. Most traits are not strictly determined by genes, but rather are influenced by both genes and environment.” This test can provide peace of mind for people wanting to explore their genetic links to diseases like breast cancer.

There has never been a better time to be aware and take care of your breasts. A simple self-examination and a DNA test could save your life! Make this October the ‘breast’ one ever!

 

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Lactose Intolerance: Get Your Gut in Order!

Feeling unwell after eating but not sure what the cause could be? Sometimes we feel bloated and uncomfortable after eating, and we put it down to maybe eating too quick, too much, or too much of the wrong thing. It’s a terrible feeling that can sometimes take hours to pass. Even if we change our eating patterns, slow down, eat healthier, it can still occur.

Could it be something more specific, relating to a certain food or food group? Could you have a food intolerance? Food allergies and intolerances affect many Filipinos, with wheat, eggs, peanuts, shellfish, and milk being the most common. Milk is also the top cause of all allergies and intolerances in children. Aside from milk, lactose intolerance can also be triggered by consuming other dairy products, such as cheese, butter, yoghurt and ice cream.

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A negative reaction to dairy is known as a lactose intolerance, which is caused when the body has trouble, or fails to digest milk sugars, due to insufficient amounts of the gut enzyme, Lactase. Lactose is also found in some breads, cakes and biscuits, pancake mix, deli meats, instant foods, and margarine.

So, what exactly is Lactose? Lactose is a sugar or carbohydrate found in milk and other dairy products. Normally, the body breaks down lactose into its simpler components with the help of the gut enzyme lactase. If your body does not produce enough lactase, lactose is not digested and absorbed in the small intestine. Instead, it continues to travel along the digestive tract to the large intestine, where bacteria partially break it down into acids and gases. This fermentation process causes excessive wind, bloating, discomfort and pain.

Did you know that even though you can develop lactose intolerance at any age, it is largely genetic, caused by an inherited genetic fault? EasyDNA Philippines understands that food intolerances are uncomfortable, make you feel unwell, and can be embarrassing, which is why the Lactose Intolerance DNA Test may be of benefit to those who suspect milk, dairy products, or other foods containing lactose might be the cause of their discomfort. A lactose intolerance test will establish whether you carry certain a gene mutation which makes you unable to produce the enzyme which helps digest lactose.

This test analyses the LCT gene. This gene encodes the instructions our body needs to make lactase. A mutation on this gene makes the individual unable to product enough lactase to break down any lactose ingested. The condition can span different severities which depend on the amounts of lactase produced by their bodies; the range is typically mild, moderate or severe reduction.

Once you order your test, you will receive a comprehensive home test kit, which includes everything needed to take the test via an oral mouth swab. Your results will arrive in a timely manner, and will reveal:

  • Whether you carry a genotype which places you at low or high risk
  • Dietary recommendations, changes in lifestyle and further counselling or advice
  • Description of what exactly lactose intolerance is and its prevalence in different parts of the world
  • A complete list of symptoms as well as other conditions that could also have these symptoms.

This test is perfect for those experiencing any of the symptoms of lactose intolerance and provides peace of mind as well as a way forward to achieving a happier and healthier gut.

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