What are some examples of protected genetic services?
A. One example would be a woman who seeks BRCA testing (genetic testing for breast cancer risk) and learns that she has a mutation that significantly raises her risk of getting breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Typically, this woman would seek genetic counseling before and/or after genetic testing from a doctor and/or genetic counselor who would tell her the risks and benefits of testing and what the test results mean, explain her lifetime risks of developing breast or ovarian cancer, and review clinical options that can reduce those risks. These options would include earlier and more frequent mammograms and preventive measures (such as taking tamoxifen or having preventive surgery to remove the ovaries or breasts). After discussing these options with the patient, the doctor may recommend the best screening and prevention strategy. This genetic counseling would be protected by GINA.
