Welcome to this weeks edition of Baby Boomer Health – Pharmacogenics

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This is your host, Denise Boomer and Dr. Bee Boomer, welcoming you to this weeks edition of the Baby Boomer Health on PodcastForBoomers.com.

This week we are talking about Pharmacogenics.

Pharmacogenics goal is to be able to pick the best drugs and dosages to the individual and to be able to do this before the prescription is taken. Today the only way we know an individuals reaction to a medication is to try it and wait. But tomorrow based upon an individuals genetic make up, the doctor will be able to choose the medication and dosage that will work best.

Today this is very limited as the genes responsible for the interactions of drugs are still being discovered. However an example of this in action is the drug Herceptin used in treating breast cancer. About 25 to 30% of breast cancer patients have a genetic marker called HER2. In these patients Herceptin is very effective. So breast cancer patents are screened for this genetic marker to determine if Herceptin should be used in their treatment.

Some day each of us with have a genetic profile that will help providers determine the best drugs and dosages to use tailored for each one of us.

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Until the next time, this is your host Dr. Bee Boomer and Denise Boomer saying good bye!