ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, November 28, 1996 TAG: 9611290042
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: HOLIDAY
COLUMN: What's On Your Mind?
SOURCE: RAY REED
Q: I think it would be helpful to many to know what genetic screening is available at Roanoke hospitals. Is some screening done routinely? Or is it done only on request? G.C., Blacksburg
A: Genetic testing is done only by request, according to some of the providers of that relatively new service.
Your reference to genetic "screening" made people hesitate a bit. Screening creates the impression that a battery of tests is being run. Privacy and expense are two factors that make screening an unlikely practice in the genetics field at this point.
Pat Schnatterly, a genetics counselor from Charlottesville who sees patients with a physician geneticist in Roanoke once a month, provided much of the following information.
Genetic tests are available for possibly as many as 200 health conditions if a patient and his or her doctors agree such a test is needed.
Perhaps the best-known genetic test is amniocentesis, performed to detect Down syndrome and other birth defects - usually for pregnant women 35 and older.
Geneticists also can test for the causes of mental retardation in children and adults, and these patients may require a number of tests. Findings can indicate a course of treatment.
Other genetic tests can look for a predisposition toward cancer, breast cancer being one example. Normally this is done only when a patient's mother or sisters have had the disease.
Certain ethnic groups are vulnerable to specific diseases: Tay-Sachs, sickle cell and thalessemia are examples. Genetic tests can determine the likelihood of these diseases being present in infants.
Wine and the heart
Q: For a number of years it has been a popular thought that a daily glass of wine helps prevent heart disease. If it's the alcohol that's beneficial, would a glass of beer help as much? Has anyone checked on the components of wine that are beneficial? R.P., Blacksburg
A: Dr. Michael Gaziano of the Harvard Medical School reported three years ago that moderate amounts of alcohol - in beer, wine or liquor - can help prevent heart attacks.
One or two drinks can raise the body's supply of good cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein, he found in a study. That cuts the heart attack risk in half, the researchers figured.
Other dangers lurk, though. Alcohol, even in small amounts, increases the risk of breast cancer, bowel cancer and liver disease. Perhaps the greatest danger is the chance of alcoholism from drinking regularly.
Got a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Call us at 981-3118. Or, e-mail RayR@Roanoke.Infi.Net. Maybe we can find the answer.
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