As a prenatal genetic counselor, I help women and families navigate through the testing process including the critical – but often skipped – step of pre-test counseling. For all moms-to-be undergoing prenatal screening, my number one piece of advice is: be your own advocate.
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September is National Cholesterol Education Month, and it's a great time to raise awareness about a little known but very common condition called familial hypercholesterolemia (FH).
Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, is a growing global health problem. It is seen in all populations and its prevalence is rising. About five million Americans currently have this devastating disease, and the number is expected to increase to more than 13 million by 2050. It's also a terrifying prospect for any person who has ever watched a loved one suffer from the disease, or who fears that every lapse in memory is sign of Alzheimer's.
Fertility was once thought of as primarily a female issue. As our understanding has increased, we find that men are just as likely to play a significant role. We also are starting to understand the genetic origins of infertility and miscarriage. Here, I will explore how genetics are changing our understanding of infertility and miscarriage.
Thyroid cancer is a common and mostly treatable disease, though there are some aggressive forms of thyroid cancer that do not respond to treatment. About 63,000 Americans will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer and nearly 2,000 people will die of the disease in 2014, according to the American Cancer Society.
The sudden loss of a loved one – a child, parent, sibling – is a devastating event and leaves survivors not only shocked and grieving, but wanting answers. Below are some frequently asked questions about this difficult situation.
After my brother was diagnosed with Lynch syndrome, I spoke with my doctor and he referred me to a certified genetic counselor. I immediately met with a genetic counselor and a geneticist and they took the time to explain the Lynch syndrome diagnosis. They were understanding and sensitive to the emotional gravity of the situation. They gave me time to process the information and did not pressure me to get genetic testing. After some thought, I went back a week later for genetic testing, which consisted of a simple blood draw.
For women with mental illness, pregnancy and breastfeeding can be difficult because of feelings of guilt, shame, fear or stress about the medication that they may be using, and its potential effects on the baby.
Genetic testing for cancer has gotten a lot of media attention over the past few years, in part thanks to celebrities like Angelina Jolie and the Kardashians, who have publicly shared their experiences. If hearing about the genetic testing process has gotten you interested in the topic, it’s important to remember that a genetic counselor should be involved.
As a genetic counselor who specializes in psychiatric illnesses and addictions, I help people understand what we know about how our experiences and our genetics work together to cause illness. During a genetic counseling session, we work through any guilt, fear or stigma people may be feeling about the causes of their illness, and discuss how they might be able to protect their mental health for the future.