What happens at an appointment at the Genetics Clinic?
You will meet for one to two hours with a genetic counselor who has special training to recognize and explain hereditary risk. Together, you review your family history. The genetic counselor explains what signs of hereditary risk are in the family and how that risk affects your medical choices. You discuss in detail cancer risk reduction options — screening tests, medicines, preventive surgeries or lifestyle choices. This helps you to be better prepared when you discuss these with your doctor. If you wish, the genetic counselor can help you to communicate with family members about hereditary risk. If genetic testing is available that may be useful for you, the genetic counselor explains its costs, benefits and limits. If you choose to proceed, she arranges the test, discusses your results with you, and provides a summary to your doctors.
