What does genetic counselling treat?

A genetics professional reviews your personal and family history, looking for patterns that may suggest an inherited cancer tendency. The discussion can cover what a genetic test can and cannot show, possible results, privacy questions, and what information may be useful for relatives. Counselling may be offered before testing, after a result, or both.

It can support people with a known or suspected BRCA gene mutation, Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, or Li-Fraumeni syndrome. It may also help when cancer occurred unusually early, several relatives had related cancers, or one person has more than one relevant cancer. The appointment itself does not remove a mutation or shrink a tumour.

Gather information about relatives' cancers, ages at diagnosis, and any previous genetic results if available. Bring pathology or oncology records when requested. Ask whether testing should begin with an affected relative, which genes are included, how results could change screening or treatment discussions, and how relatives might be informed. A counsellor can explain choices without requiring you to test immediately.

Request a genetics referral when your clinician identifies a concerning family pattern, you have a cancer associated with inherited risk, or a relative has a known pathogenic variant. Genetic counselling is not an emergency service. Seek urgent medical care for acute symptoms such as severe pain, heavy bleeding, breathing difficulty, or sudden neurological changes rather than waiting for a genetics appointment.

What in my personal or family history makes counselling useful? Which relatives should be included in the family history? What could each possible result mean for my screening or treatment? How will results be shared with family members?