Divya Delhi: We now view our genes as our identity. What if they could also guide us through important health decisions before symptoms appear? Cheap, accessible genetic testing has made that vision a reality. Elite athletes and seemingly healthy young adults with severe malignancies die suddenly from cardiac arrest, sometimes without warning or risk factors. Though rare, such circumstances demonstrate a vital truth, according to Dr. Ashok Gopinath, Head of Partner Development, Strand Life Sciences: It's commonly known that genes play a major impact in cancer and cardiovascular disease, beyond old age and lifestyle. About 10% of malignancies are inherited. Dr. Gopinath says inherited BRCA mutations increase breast cancer risk by 69–72% and ovarian cancer risk by 17–44%. In contrast, baseline population risks were 5–12% and less than 1%. Genetic testing has traditionally been recommended reactively—after symptoms or a strong family history appear. The times are shifting. Genetic testing is becoming a proactive strategy because to new, non-invasive screening techniques and falling costs. Strand Life Sciences' Genomic Health Insights (GHI) test can screen for over 280 adult-onset genetic illnesses, including malignancies and heart ailments, without symptoms. "We are lucky to live in a time when everyone can take predictive tests and understand their risk," says Dr. Gopinath.