Prenatal genetic screening, specifically non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), is an important step to check for potential complications during a pregnancy. Recent national news coverage has drawn greater attention to this issue, including a series of articles featured in The New York Times. While the focus this news coverage has drawn to this critical issue is valuable, some essential details are inaccurately represented. As a licensed and certified genetic counselor, I want to lay out the facts so patients have the clearest and most accurate picture of what they need to know about prenatal screening.
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The recent news regarding Chris Evert’s ovarian cancer diagnosis was shocking for the many fans of her career as an elite-level athlete. Genetic testing led to the detection of this cancer, and Evert’s bravery in sharing her story offers a platform to create awareness for other families to explore the importance of examining their own family history of cancer.
Lynch syndrome is the most common inherited predisposition to colorectal and endometrial (uterine) cancers, yet is it under-diagnosed. Around 90-95% of people who have Lynch syndrome are not aware of their condition.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) estimated last year that around 1 in 10 Americans has diabetes. And since November is a time when we often get together with relatives, some of you may be wondering, “How worried should I be about Diabetes based on my family history?” This episode will help to answer some of those questions.
There are many pink ribbon displays and charity walks each year to support the many people diagnosed with breast cancer. Each year leads to more scientific advances and discoveries about how cancer develops and breakthroughs that may lead to more effective treatments. Genes have become an important predictor for how cancer may behave as well as for determining if family members may be at risk to develop cancer too.
According to the American Cancer Society, other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. In fact, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. (ACS) What factors increase my risk for prostate cancer? Family history? What can I do?
As a licensed and certified genetic counselor who works with consumers of genetic DNA tests from companies like 23andMe and AncestryDNA, I often field medical and health questions about Alzheimer’s disease. Some of the companies behind consumer DNA tests provide health risk information on certain diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. One of the more common questions I receive is, “Now that I know I have a higher Alzheimer’s risk, what should I do?”
With areas opening back up across the country and world, many are looking forward to going outside during the summer.
The COVID-19 pandemic, racial uprisings, and the resulting economic recession have impacted many people’s mental health. One study suggests that ~4 in 10 adults in the U.S. have reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder, up from ~1 in 10 adults before the pandemic.