Recent Stories


Is there a link between menopause and genetics?

Is there a link between menopause and genetics?

How and when a woman begins menopause depends on family history and lifestyle
SHN Staff 5 min read
Genetic counselors use history to spot breast cancer risk

Genetic counselors use history to spot breast cancer risk

Family history, DNA testing help find clues to your health future
Jacqueline Palfy 7 min read
Inherited cardiac disease? Know your heart history

Inherited cardiac disease? Know your heart history

Four Sanford specialists offer advice for talking with your doctor
SHN Staff 8 min read
How ancient farmers unearthed genetics

How ancient farmers unearthed genetics

Thousands of years ago, Native Americans figured out how to breed generations of teosinte into a plant we eat nearly every day: corn. These early farmers used the concept of inheritance to create plants with desirable characteristics without microscopes or lab equipment. Today, doctors and scientists have the tools to decode these traits in great […]
SHN Staff 1 min read
Genetic testing reveals hereditary heart disease

Genetic testing reveals hereditary heart disease

Current testing helps connect family members with shared diagnosis
SHN Staff 5 min read
A biobank’s purpose and how it helps research

A biobank’s purpose and how it helps research

Sanford Health uses biobanks to store samples and health information for study
SHN Staff 2 min read
Understanding disease risk through genetics

Understanding disease risk through genetics

One of the most effective tools for health care providers lies within the human body. Your DNA is a set of instructions holding the genetic information that makes you who you are. Variations in your genetics make you unique, but they also influence your health. Still, genetics is just one piece of the puzzle. Lifestyle, […]
Cassie Hajek, M.D. 6 min read
Is genetic medicine relevant to me and my health?

Is genetic medicine relevant to me and my health?

Absolutely! Genetic medicine as part of the everyday medical experience is an idea rooted in innovation and necessity. Imagine explaining a symptom to your doctor and at their fingertips is an outline of your genetic history. The impact this could have on your treatment is profound! Not only is genetic medicine relevant to your overall […]
SHN Staff 1 min read
Genetics fact: Earwax type is an inherited trait

Genetics fact: Earwax type is an inherited trait

You and your parents likely share the same wet or dry types of earwax because you both share the same ABCC11 gene sequence through heredity. Genes are parts of our DNA that have the instructions for a particular feature or trait. Your features are the way your genes display your uniqueness out in the open. […]
SHN Staff 1 min read
How genes, genetic knowledge are revolutionizing health care

How genes, genetic knowledge are revolutionizing health care

One of the most powerful assets to your health care is already within you. Your DNA is a set of instructions, which influences many facets of your health. By diving further into what makes each person unique, we aim to help you make more precise health care decisions. “From person to person, there are a […]
SHN Staff 5 min read