While the primary purpose is not to evaluate reproductive risks, that is certainly a topic that can be explored, including providing test information during a pregnancy or discussing other approaches to having children to determine whether their child will have VHL or not. Another very important aspect of genetic counseling is to help the family cope with having a chronic genetic condition, making sure that over the years answers are provided and the right specialists are involved in a person's care. People who call the hotline want to know how to find a genetic counselor , how do I find someone. In the US and Canada the certification is provided through the American Board of Genetic counseling, and the geneticists are certified through the American Board of Medical Genetics. Genetic counseling is most often available in teaching hospitals, associated with the department of pediatrics or obstetrics.
People often ask who is going to pay for genetic counseling .
Some insurance policies do cover genetic counseling and even genetic testing, but we have to evaluate it policy by policy. You can read your own policy or call the insurance carrier to determine the answer to the question. In most other countries, payment is not an issue. The CCC's are institutions across the world that have volunteered to provide comprehensive services for VHL onsite, including genetic services. Sometimes people would prefer to go forward with clinical screening every year and would rather not know for sure whether they have the gene or not.