From the color of your eyes to the shape of nose, your DNA guides and determines all your inherited traits and shapes your risk of developing certain diseases.
Our centers for clinical genetics and genomics are specially designed to help you understand how genetics influence you and your family’s health.
What’s the difference? Genomics versus genetics
Genomics and genetics are related fields but do have distinct differences. Genetics focuses on the study of individual genes and their roles in inheritance. This goes beyond your eye color and can include inherited disorders such as cystic fibrosis or Huntington’s Disease.
Genomics studies all a person's genes (the genome) and how interactions with the person's environment can influence their risk of getting diseases such as heart disease, asthma and more. Genomics can even offer new possibilities for therapies and treatments for some complex diseases.
“By evaluating both you and your family’s health history, your genetic test results can help determine if you have a high risk of developing specific diseases, such as cancer,” said Melissa Bitanga, a Providence Medical Group genetic counselor located at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. “As part of our services, we offer a Cancer Genetic Risk Evaluation which can determine your risk of specific cancers. We would also inform you as to which medications or procedures may help reduce your risk and provide screening options that can be available to detect cancer at early stages.”
As part of our services, we offer a Cancer Genetic Risk Evaluation. In addition to determining the level of risk of specific cancers, this type of evaluation includes counseling and education regarding risk, medical management recommendations and if appropriate, genetic testing.
Through our genetics consultations, we offer a personalized approach to help reduce your risk of developing cancer. Our qualified team of genetic counselors act as a valuable resource to assess your risk and determine if genetic testing is right for you. Should you be at risk, we connect you with the right physicians to begin your preventative journey.
Discover if genetic and genomics services are in your area.
