Preparing for Your Genetic Counseling Appointment
What to Expect from Your Visit
A visit with a genetic counselor can be different for each person. During your visit, your genetic counselor will most likely ask about your health and your family’s health history.
This information helps them understand your risk of getting certain diseases. Your genetic counselor will help you decide if you should get genetic testing. They will also answer any questions you have. Most importantly, your genetic counselor is there to support you, provide resources, and help you make decisions that feel right for you.
Preparing for your Visit
To help your genetic counselor understand your situation, here are some helpful things you can bring:
- A copy of any cancer-related medical records you may have. This can be things like doctors’ notes or test results.
- A list of any family members that had cancer. It is also helpful to know the type of cancer they had, and when they were diagnosed with cancer.
- Any genetic testing results you or a family member may have.
- A list of questions.
It is important you talk with your family (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins) about their health. Don’t worry if you do not have this information. Your genetic counselor will work with whatever you have and help you understand next steps.
Questions You Can Ask Your Genetic Counselor
- What are the chances I have an inherited gene change (mutation)? What is genetic testing?
- Is genetic testing right for me?
- What are the benefits and risks of genetic testing?
- What can the test tell me about my chances of getting cancer?
- How will the results of testing affect me or my family?
- Will my insurance pay for my testing?
- Does my genetic information stay private?
Cost of Visiting a Genetic Counselor
Most insurance plans will cover genetic counseling. Before your appointment, you can:
- Call the number on your insurance card to ask about genetic counseling coverage
- Ask our staff to connect you with a financial navigator
- Discuss payment and financial assistance options with our staff if you don’t have insurance coverage.
For More Information
If you have any questions, please call us at 312.355.3248.
