Health warning as over the counter tests for killer illnesses are wrong '90% of time'

The tests look for illnesses such as heart disease and cancer.

The polygenic risk scores produced by the tests are extremely unreliable, according to research at the University College London.

It suggested the readings were so inaccurate the tests should be regulated further.

Such tests can cost hundreds of pounds and can be used to look for various illnesses.

However, the findings suggested it will tell one in 20 people they will develop a serious condition, even though it is not the case.

The researchers assessed 926 polygenetic risk scores for 310 different diseases.

It found just 11 per cent of individuals who developed illness had this diagnosed in the test.

It spotted the risk of breast cancer in just 10 per cent of those who went on the develop it.

Only 12 per cent of people who developed coronary artery disease had this identified by the tests.

Co-author Professor Sir Nicholas Wald said: "It has been suggested that polygenic risk scores could be introduced early on to help prevent breast cancer and heart disease but, in the examples we looked at, we found that the scores contributed little, if any, health benefit while adding cost and complexity."

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However, further research may be needed and the genetic tests were defended by professors who looked at the study.

Professors from Cambridge University said: "The current paper generally takes a narrow view of how polygenic scores can be used."

This comes as a type 2 diabetes warning was shared as age of diagnosis can dramatically change life expectancy.

Britons have been warned of various health conditions amid the cold snap.