Polygenic Risk Scores and Their Underuse in India

Most people in India learn about cancer risk only after someone in the family gets sick. Until then, health often feels like a matter of luck. But genetics does not work that way. Long before symptoms appear, small changes in our genes quietly shape risk. Polygenic risk scores try to make sense of that long before disease shows up.

What these scores actually look at

Some cancers are linked to single gene changes, like BRCA mutations. Those are well-known. Polygenic risk scores work differently. They look at dozens or even hundreds of tiny genetic variations. Each one matters very little on its own. Together, they can show whether someone carries a higher or lower risk compared to the average person. This does not predict cancer with certainty. It helps estimate risk, the same way cholesterol numbers estimate heart disease risk.

Where this information helps

When doctors know someone carries a higher genetic risk, they can suggest earlier screening or more frequent check-ups. In breast or colon cancer, this can mean catching changes years before symptoms start. For people with lower risk, it can prevent unnecessary tests and anxiety. Used carefully, these scores support better timing. They do not replace scans, exams, or medical judgment.

Awareness in India

Awareness remains low. Many doctors still rely mainly on family history, age, and visible symptoms. Genetic counseling services remain limited, especially outside large cities. Testing also costs more than routine blood work, which keeps it out of reach for many families.

What holds people back

Even when testing exists, patients often struggle to understand the results. Numbers without explanation create fear instead of clarity. Without trained counselors, genetic reports sit unused. Doctors may hesitate to act on results they cannot clearly explain.

Why this gap matters

Many cancers develop slowly. Risk builds quietly over the years. Without early signals, people enter care only after symptoms appear. That delay costs time, options, and sometimes lives. Genetic risk tools could help identify vulnerable groups earlier, especially for common cancers.

Where this could go next

Better Indian genetic research would improve accuracy. More training for doctors would help them use results responsibly. Lower costs would make testing practical rather than experimental. Until then, family history, regular screening, and lifestyle awareness remain the strongest tools. Polygenic risk scores may not yet fit easily into Indian healthcare, but ignoring them completely leaves a gap that will grow harder to ignore with time.