There are many things to think about when deciding whether genetic testing is right for you. Although these tests can provide important information about health risks, they can also be upsetting or raise questions about what the results mean. Genetic tests also have certain limitations that are important to understand. Your personal and family medical history, as well as your goals for testing, should all factor into your decisions about whether and how to test.

A genetic counselor, a healthcare professional with special training in genetic conditions, will be able to answer your questions and help you make an informed choice. We recommend that you speak with a genetic counselor before testing, and also after testing to help you understand your results and what actions you should take. This is especially important for health conditions that are preventable or treatable.

Genetic counselors can help you navigate common questions, such as:

What are the risks and benefits of genetic testing?

Are there diseases that run in the family?

How do you handle potentially distressing information?

What are you hoping to find out from genetic testing?

Talk to your healthcare provider or click here to search for a genetic counselor near you (this link takes you to a page managed by the National Society of Genetic Counselors: http://www.aboutgeneticcounselors.com/).