Genetic counsellors take information from your family and medical history to learn what your genetic risk is.
Depending on the condition in your family, understanding genetic risk will tell you:
the chance that you may develop an inherited condition
the chance that you’ll pass the inherited condition to your children
Not all physical and mental challenges are inherited. Other factors can also play a role in some conditions and not in others. Diabetes and breast cancer are examples where environment plays a role in a person developing the condition.
Learn more about inherited conditions and birth defects.