Genetic Counselling

Guiding and supporting you in your genetic testing options

Genetic counsellors are healthcare professionals that are trained in medical genetics and counselling.

They help you make sense of complex genetic information, discuss the available options and possible implications thereof whilst providing emotional support throughout the process.

Genetic counsellors do not only focus on you as an individual but will enable you to understand the impact of genetic test results on your family.

You could benefit from genetic counselling if you:

Have a child or a family history of a genetic condition, chromosome abnormality, birth defect or developmental delay
Are from an ethnic group at higher risk for a genetic condition eg. Ashkenazi Jews
Are worried about the risk of having a child with a birth defect or genetic condition
Are pregnant and over the age of 35 years
Have a personal or family history of miscarriages or stillbirths
Have a strong family history of cancer
Have a pregnancy that is classified as high risk, from previous assessments performed
Need information on prenatal screening and testing

During a genetic counselling session, the genetic counsellor will do the following:

Draw up a family tree from your personal and family history
Discuss the cause, inheritance and risks of the genetic condition for you, your family and future pregnancies
Discuss treatment, management and preventive options, if appropriate
Offer genetic testing, where available
Explain the testing process including timing, benefits, limitations, and manage your expectations
Address your concerns, queries and any ethical issues
Facilitate the testing process in conjunction with your referring healthcare provider
Communicate results to you and provide appropriate support and care

Next Biosciences offers specialised genetic counselling to help you understand the test options available, including any associated benefits and limitations. This ensures you are making informed decisions that are in keeping with your values and beliefs.

All patients who receive positive results following a TriScreen NIPT Test, are offered a free genetic counselling session to discuss the implications of the result and the available options in more detail.

For any other genetic counselling sessions, your healthcare provider can refer you for a genetic counselling session or you are welcome to contact us directly: genetics@nextbio.co.za

KELLY

Kelly Loggenberg is our in-house genetic counsellor. Kelly is a registered genetic counsellor with more than 13 years experience, in both research and clinical settings. Kelly was based in the UK for 10 years but in 2018 moved back to South Africa. Kelly works part-time at Next Biosciences as well as runs her own practice.

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