If you were a fan of the Winter Olympics like I was, perhaps you saw the seemingly endless parade of TV commercials for AncestryDNA and 23andMe, two of the biggest direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing companies.
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Cascade genetic testing is one of the most effective and cost-efficient ways to identify individuals who are known to be at risk for an inherited condition such as heart disease and cancer. It’s the process of testing through a family in a specific order to identify all of the relatives who did, or did not, inherit a genetic mutation that is causing the condition of concern in the family.
Celebrities. We are fascinated by them. We often want to be like them. And we often take their advice based on their personal experience. Recently, Christina Applegate announced she had her ovaries removed after learning she tested positive for a BRCA1 mutation (more on that below).
Genetic counselors are healthcare professionals who provide personalized help and information about your genetic health. With Nov. 9 marking the first-ever Genetic Counselor Awareness Day, let’s take a closer look at our growing and evolving field.
The following article is a part of the National Society of Genetic Counselors’ patient blog post series. Written by real patients, these stories share a glimpse into the sometimes-complicated world of genetics and the role a genetic counselor can play in helping people navigate their healthcare.
El siguiente artículo es parte de la serie de blogs de pacientes de la Sociedad Nacional de Asesores en Genética. Escrito por verdaderos pacientes, estas historias dan un vistazo al mundo a veces complicado de la genética y el papel que un asesor en genética puede jugar en ayudar a las personas a na
This webinar explores rare disease, the journey patients take when looking for an explanation for their rare disease symptoms and the role genetic counselors play along the way.
Have you ever wondered what causes mental illness, or thought about genetic testing for a condition like depression, schizophrenia, OCD, or bipolar disorder? It can be frightening to ask these questions, but the answers are often more reassuring than you might expect.
These are exciting times in the growing field of genetic counseling. While prenatal and preconception and cancer-risk counseling remain our bread and butter, clearly our skills and expertise can benefit infinitely many more people. Genetic counseling is a conversation that leads to action.
Whether or not to have genetic testing is complicated. What will it tell you? What will you do about it once you get the results? Will having that information help you or not? That’s why the insight and guidance provided by a genetic counselor is invaluable.