Some patients are referred to genetic counselors before they consider genetic testing. That might be the ultimate goal of the referral, but the patient makes their own decision about proceeding. There are multiple reasons for someone to undergo genetic testing, but it usually starts with a counseling session. Is genetic counseling right for you?
What Does a Genetic Counselor Do?
One of the main purposes of seeing a genetic counselor is to suggest whether genetic testing is right for you. Based on your medical history, they can alert you to any possible genetic disorders in your DNA and whether it makes sense to be tested. If you do decide to be tested, they will counsel you through the test results and help you to understand them better.
Let’s not put the cart before the horse. You will most likely be referred to a counselor if your physician or care team thinks there is a possibility of a genetic disorder. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean one will be found.
It simply is a valuable tool to help you make informed medical decisions about yourself, your child, or partner.
A genetic counselor may specialize in any of the following: hematology, cancer, pediatrics, prenatal health, cardiovascular health, fetal intervention and therapy, Cystic Fibrosis, and infertility.
Reasons You Might Consider Genetic Counseling
Anyone concerned about an inherited condition might benefit from genetic counseling.
Some of those reasons are as follows:
- You have a personal or family history of a genetic condition, birth defect, or hereditary cancer.
- Your parents or other relatives have a certain health condition like Cancer or Parkinson’s Disease. You want to find out if you carry genes making it likely you will also develop these conditions.
- You have had two or more pregnancy miscarriages, a stillbirth, or a baby who died.
- If you are over 35 and plan to get pregnant.
- An increased risk of developing or passing on a genetic disorder based on your ethnicity.
- If you have a child with a known inherited disorder, a birth defect, or developmental delay. You want to know if it can happen again.
- If your job, lifestyle, or medical history could increase your baby’s chances of having a genetic condition.
Genetic Counseling Serves Several Purposes
Besides a better understanding of genetic issues and how they can affect you, genetic counselors can also help with the psychological side. They can help you decide if you can deal with the results and/or whether you want the results at all. Do you really want to know? How will that affect your family?
Contact South Carolina Oncology Associates at (803) 461-3000 if you want to know more about genetic counseling and testing or if you want to make an appointment with a genetic counselor at our office in Columbia, SC.
