This week's artwork was donated by Sharon, a pediatric cancer patient who received treatment at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia .
Genetic testing can sometimes raise more uncertainty about the future than provide answers.
Genetic counselors can help people wrestling with these difficult questions to try to reach the best possible decision, given each person's unique perspective and life experiences. Genetic counselors in the United States are nationally certified health professionals who can interpret complex family histories and genetic test results for patients and health providers. They educate women and their families about what genetic testing can tell them, as well as what it can't. In addition, genetic counselors, who have training in psychosocial counseling, help to promote autonomous decision making among the individuals they counsel. Recently, genetic counselors have become members of multidisciplinary teams offering risk assessment and counseling to individuals and families at increased risk for cancer.