Genetic Counseling- What is genetic counseling?
Genetic counseling is a meeting with a trained health professional (geneticist or genetic counselor) about:
- Genetic or chromosomal disorders.
- Your risks for health conditions that are passed down through families (inherited).
This information is kept private and confidential. Genetic counseling can:
- Explain the diagnosis of a condition.
- Tell you about your risk of developing certain conditions, such as cancer.
- Help you understand patterns of disease in your family.
- Help you find resources for coping with a diagnosis.
- Help you plan for your next steps. This may include referrals to specialists.
Who does genetic counseling?
People who do genetic counseling are health professionals, including:
- Medical doctors.
- Nurses.
- Social workers.
- Researchers with training in genetic conditions.
Some genetic counselors specialize in specific conditions, age groups, or groups of people. Sometimes counselors will also refer you to a physician who specializes in a particular condition.
Who should get genetic counseling?
You may benefit from genetic counseling if:
- You
have a condition that is:
- Genetic.
- Chromosomal.
- Inherited.
- You have a child with a genetic or chromosomal condition.
- You
want to know more about your risk for inherited conditions. These include:
- Heart disease.
- Cancer.
- Blood disorders.
- Mental illness.
- You want to know how your genetic risk might be affected by lifestyle choices.
- You are worried about passing on an inherited condition to your child.
- You want to understand or respond to the results of genetic testing.
- You have had two or more miscarriages or stillbirths and you want to become pregnant.
- You are pregnant and you are 35 years of age or older. This is when the risk of genetic abnormalities increases.
- You want to know more about the risk of conditions that are common among your ethnic group.
How can I find a genetic counselor?
- Ask your health care provider to suggest a genetic counselor in your area.
- Search online on the website of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. The website is: http://nsgc.org/p/cm/ld/fid=164
How should I prepare for my genetic counseling session?
- Find out if counseling and testing are covered under your health insurance plan.
- Make sure you have all recommended screenings or tests.
- Gather your personal medical records.
- Bring information about your family’s medical history.
- Write down any questions you may have.
What can I expect during my genetic counseling session?
Plan to talk about:
- Your family and personal medical history.
- Possible patterns of inherited conditions.
- Genetic testing options or the results of genetic tests.
- The results of tests for genetic conditions.
- The meaning of a diagnosis, if your health care provider says it is genetic, inherited, or chromosomal.
- Strategies for preventing, identifying, or managing genetic conditions.
- Resources for further information, support, or care.
What happens after genetic counseling?
- You should receive a letter summarizing the information you discussed with your genetic counselor.
- You may want to follow up with specialists or other resources for support and information.
- You can talk to your genetic counselor again for more information or support.