My father died last spring from Huntington disease. My father's sister and mother also had this disease, and my doctor told me that there is a gene test available that can tell me whether or not I will develop Huntington disease. Many of my family members have had cancer and I am worried about getting cancer myself. Genetic counselors are health professionals who are trained to help families understand genetic disorders and to provide information and support to those families. They may also serve as patient advocates by referring individuals or families to local services that can be of assistance.
Genetic research is a powerful tool for treating medical conditions, but it is still a new tool.
Many people whose families are affected by genetics disorders don't understand how it will affect their lives. Even genetic researchers and doctors don't fully understand how genes cause all genetic disorders. Genetic counselors work with doctors and families to help families get the information they need to understand the disorder. The National Society of Genetic Counselors has information on training programs, certification, demographics, career opportunities, and populations served. The genetic counseling scenarios were written by Vickie Venne, Lana Pho, Cindy Hoyle, and Lisa Mensching, who are genetic counselors at the Hunstman Cancer Institute.