Expert Genetic Counseling Services
Genetic counseling services to all individuals with known heritable states or traits, predisposition to certain diseases, or for prenatal, perinatal or postnatal testing or for interpretation of certain genetic or other findings.
Genetic counseling refers to guidance relating to genetic disorders that a specialized healthcare professional (genetic counselor) provides to an individual or family. The role of a Genetic Counsellor allows individuals to make informed decisions about their health. Genetic Counsellors are trained in both medical genetics and counselling to interpret family history information and genetic test results and present complex information to families in a way that is meaningful to them.
During the genetic consultation the specialized clinical geneticist:
– recognizes whether a condition or a disease in a person or in a family has a genetic basis
– calculates the risk that another member of your family will be affected by a particular genetic condition
– provides information to counsellors about the appropriate and available tests that would help in the diagnosis of a possible genetic condition
– suggests available treatments after having diagnosed a genetic disease
provides counsellors with information on the possibilities of prenatal or pre-implantation genetic testing if one or both parents are carriers of a genetic disease
Genetic counselling is for anyone who has a serious concern about their future by having a preventive genetic counselling or if they have a family history of a disease in their family; however, it is highly recommended to people or couples facing one or more of the following conditions:
– Couple with fertility problems
– Couple with recurrent miscarriages and/or fetal death
– Pregnancy at advanced maternal or paternal age
– Pregnancy with abnormal biochemical (PAPP-A) or/and ultrasound findings suggestive of a genetic disease
– Pregnancies with a confirmed pathological or non-pathological genetic finding
– People with family history of a genetic disease, chromosomal or congenital abnormality
– Pregnancy with exposure to radiation, chemical agents, infections or prescribed medications
– Prospective parents who wish to discuss prenatal testing for their future pregnancy and interested in screening for the most common hereditary genetic diseases, like Thalassemia and Cystic fibrosis
– People with a positive genetic test for single gene disorders, abnormal karyotype or complex genetic conditions
– People with a family history of hereditary cancer syndrome
At ASTREA HEALTH we offer genetic counselling both at our premises and online for those who live outside Athens and are unable to visit us in person. Contact us to arrange an appointment.