What happens during genetic counseling?

Genetic counseling covers the whole testing process, both before and after a test. According to the National Cancer Institute, before testing a counselor assesses how likely it is that an inherited cancer risk is in the family, discusses whether testing is appropriate along with its harms and benefits, and explains what positive, negative, and uncertain results would mean.

The counselor also reviews the psychological sides of learning a result, the chance of passing a change to children, and the impact on the family. Written informed consent is obtained before any test is ordered.

After testing, especially if a result is positive, a counselor helps a person understand what it means, may discuss risk-reduction and screening options, provide referrals to support resources, and offer emotional support. This work is done by a trained genetic counselor or another professional experienced in cancer genetics.