Northern Nevada Genetic Counseling (NNGC) is a private genetic counseling service.
Genetic counseling is the process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical, psychologicial and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease. This process integrates:
- Interpretation of family and medical histories to assess the chance of disease occurence or recurrence.
- Education about inheritance, testing, management, prevention, resources and research.
- Counseling to promote informed choices and adaptation to the risk or condition. *
( * National Society of Genetic Counselors, 2005 )
Genetic counselors are members of a health care team... or family.
Genetic counselors work with clients... you and what you want.
I counsel about any hereditary disorders, but I specialize in hereditary cancer risk assessment.
Reasons (Or Indications) For Genetic Counseling
Hereditary Cancer Risk Aseessment Genetic Counseling is appropriate for you
if you
have any of the following 'Red Flags' for hereditary cancer:
- Multiple family members with cancer
- Multiple cancers in one family member
- Young age at diagnosis/onset of cancer
- Cancer in both of paired organs (such as breast cancer in both breasts)
- Rare or uncommon cancer
- Jewish ancestry
Other indications for you to have genetic counseling are:
- You, or a family member have a genetic/hereditary diagnosis, or you are concerned about a health condition that runs in your family
- You, or a family member have a history of a birth defect, developmental delay, or a genetic/hereditary disorder (including a previous child or fetus)
- You or a family member have a chromosome (cytogenetic) abnormality/anomaly. Down syndrome is an example of a chromosomal abnormality.
- You and your partner have a pregnancy that may be at risk for a genetic/hereditary condition
- You have had two or more pregnancy losses (miscarriages,stillbirths)
- You are related to your spouse/partner
- You are interested in genetic testing, or want accurate interpretation of a genetic test result
Risk Assessment
Risk assessment is a prediction of health risks, or the estimate of the likelihood that you, or your children have, or will develop, symptoms of a genetic disorder. Risk assessment is based on:
- Your history and your family history.
- Knowledge of the disorder that concerns you, including a review of current research.
- An expert understanding of the complexities of genetics.
- Available models for estimating hereditary risk.
Hereditary Cancer Risk Assessment:
It is estimated that 10% of all cancer is hereditary. There are many types of hereditary cancer (hereditary breast cancer, hereditary colon cancer, etc.) Genetic testing is often available for a specific type of hereditary cancer with a specific gene.
If your concern is about hereditary cancer, you need to complete and return a family history form. This form asks for information about your history and family history of cancer. Information is also obtained on family members without cancer. This information is needed for hereditary cancer risk assessment.
Click here to download the Family History Form... or contact me and I will mail you the form. You can then print it, fill it out as best you can and return it to me. I will call you when I receive the completed form.
Genetic Testing
Genetic testing can be empowering. In our counseling appointment, we will discuss:
- The availability of genetic testing.
- The risks, benefits, and limitations of genetic testing.
- How the results of genetic testing may be beneficial to you
- Your options for managing the hereditary disorder, if you have a positive (mutation identified) genetic test result.
The goal of genetic counseling is for you to be involved and make informed decisions about your health care management.
- In genetic counseling, we discuss what genetic testing is most appropriate for you to consider.
- Genetic counseling does not inevitably lead to genetic testing.
- Genetic testing, if available, is your choice.
Useful Links
About Me
I am a 1990 American College of Medical Genetics and 1993 and 2007 American Board of Genetic Counselors certified genetic counselor, with more than 20 years experience in genetic counseling.
I received my genetic counseling training at the University of Cincinnnati in Ohio.
I have participated in the City of Hope (Duartre, CA) Intensive Course in Cancer Risk Assessment.
Before becoming a genetic counseler, I performed research in molecular genetics.
Contact Information
Phone / Fax: 775-853-8592 |
Mailing Address:
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Email: Email here |