Who Uses Genetic Counselors? 

A 36 year old woman is pregnant with her third child. It is recommended that any mother who is 35 years or older at the time of delivery  meets with a genetic counselor due to the increased risk for large chromosome differences that can be seen in moms 35+, or what is medically referred to as advanced maternal age. A genetic counselor can explain the basics of genetics as well as various screening tools that can be utilized to help the couple and their healthcare team best assess and care for the pregnancy. 

Other reasons someone may see a prenatal genetic counselor could include: 

• Ultrasound findings

• Family histories of a health concern

• Carrier status 

• Abnormal screening results 

• Pre-conception risk assessment or planning

A 40 year old woman knows that her grandmother passed from ovarian cancer and her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at 47 years old; she wants to learn more about risks for herself and her children, as well as what additional screening methods might be recommended. A cancer genetic counselor can explain to the woman the basics of cancer genetics and what genetic testing criteria she meets. The genetic counselor can provide testing options as well as screenings that are recommended regardless of the woman's decision on  genetic testing. Genetic testing for cancer risks can be a very personal decision and factors such as timing, family dynamics, and others can all play a role in that choice. The genetic counselor can help with the decision making process and provide many resources and options to best fit the woman's needs. 

To the right is a pedigree, or family tree, drawn by a genetic counselor. This tool allows genetic counselors to visualize family histories and assess risks to the patient. The patient, or proband, is noted with an arrow or triangle. Males are drawn as squares and females as circles, those who are affected by a certain condition are shaded in and labeled.