What to expect from genetic counselling with Check4Cancer

If you have a strong family history of cancer, genetic counselling can help you understand whether there may be an inherited risk.

 

Your genetic counsellor will listen to your concerns, review your family and medical history, and explain what it could mean for you. They may advise clinical genetic testing to further explore your cancer risk. You don't need specialist knowledge before attending, and there is no commitment.

 

This article covers what the genetic counselling involves, from preparing for your appointment to what happens once you have your results.

 

To talk to a genetic counsellor at Check4Cancer, please get in touch.

 

What information do I need to bring to my genetic counselling appointment?

 

Before your genetic counselling consultation, gather:

 

• Any information you have about cancer in your family, for example, which relatives were affected, the type of cancer they had, their age at diagnosis and whether any family members have had genetic testing.
• Details of your medical history and any previous or current cancer diagnosis.
• Previous genetic test results or relevant medical records.
• A simple family tree, if you have one.
• A list of questions - it's helpful to write down important questions in advance in case you forget them on the day. Also remember to bring something to take notes.

 

Don't worry if you don't have all the information or if medical records are incomplete. Your genetic counsellor will work with what you know and identify any details that may be useful later.

 

What happens during a genetic counselling appointment?

 

Your one-hour appointment can be either by telephone or video call at a time convenient to you. It is a supportive conversation, and you are not obliged to commit to any tests.

 

Genetic counsellors are highly skilled healthcare professionals with specialist training in medical genetics and counselling. They follow a structured process while keeping consultations personal. Many work within a multidisciplinary team alongside clinical geneticists, doctors and other healthcare professionals.

 

Here's an indication of what you will talk about.

 

Family history and cancer risk assessment

 

During your appointment, your genetic counsellor will ask which family members have had cancer, what type they had and how old they were at diagnosis. They may also ask about inherited conditions and previous genetic tests.

 

This helps them identify inheritance patterns and whether you may be at higher risk. Several cases of cancer in one family don't necessarily indicate an inherited genetic condition; cancer is common, and cases can occur by chance.

 

Your suitability for genetic testing

 

If they think testing is suitable, your Genetic Counsellor will explain the genetic testing options and recommend the most appropriate one. Some genetic tests examine a single gene, while others examine a panel of genes linked to particular cancers. Find out more about this in our article Genetic testing vs DNA analysis for cancer risk: what's the difference?

 

Your counsellor will confirm what the test can and cannot tell you, possible results, and what they may mean for you and your relatives.

 

Compassionate support

 

Cancer risk is a highly emotive and personal concern and can feel overwhelming. Your counsellor is there to offer support and help you process any difficult emotions or ethical dilemmas you may have. They will calmly help you understand the possible outcomes so you can make an informed decision with no pressure.

 

"Genetic testing can help you understand if you are at increased risk of developing cancer. In most cases, any increased risk can be managed by additional screening or risk-reducing surgery."

Sarah Beck, Genetic Counsellor at Check4Cancer

 

What happens after your appointment?

 

If you decide to go ahead, Check4Cancer will send a saliva kit to your home, which you can complete and post back in your own time.

 

Your results will be ready within a few weeks, at which point you will be invited for a follow-up call with your counsellor. They will explain the results fully, answer your questions and discuss appropriate next steps and care. This could include screening, risk-reducing options or referrals to other specialists. They can also help you decide how to share the relevant genetic information with your relatives.

 

What are the pros and cons of genetic counselling?

 

Conversations about your health and cancer risk can naturally raise anxiety and pose difficult questions. Results can have implications for your relatives too, and not everyone in your family might feel the same way about knowing their risk. Genetic tests can also produce an unclear result, which can be unsettling.

 

The key benefit of genetic counselling is that you don't have to make sense of the information and results on your own. Your genetic counsellor is there to explain everything in detail, provide support and answer all of your questions. You are under no obligation, and you can take time to think things over and decide if testing is right for you.

 

Is it worth seeing a genetic counsellor?

 

Genetic counselling may be worth pursuing if you have:

• a strong family history of cancer
• family members who were diagnosed with cancer at a young age
• a history of a certain type of cancer on one side of the family
• family members who have a known genetic variant linked to cancer, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2

A consultation can help you understand whether genetic testing is appropriate and put your risk into context.

 

Even if you decide not to go ahead, having a trained health professional help you make sense of your family history can be very reassuring.

 

Questions to ask your genetic counsellor

 

Never worry about asking too many questions. Here are some that might be relevant:

 

• Why have you suggested genetic testing?
• What does my family history indicate?
• What does genetic testing look for?
• What would positive, negative or uncertain test results mean?
• Could a result change how often I need cancer screening?
• What might it mean for my children or other relatives?
• Who can I contact for ongoing support?

 

Taking the next step with Check4Cancer

 

If you have concerns about an inherited cancer risk, a genetic counselling consultation gives you the opportunity to talk it over with a professional before making a decision about testing.

 

Check4Cancer’s genetic counselling service combines personalised risk assessment, clear explanations, and practical support to help you understand your choices.

 

Ready to talk it through? Book your initial genetic counselling consultation, a one-hour appointment with a genetic counsellor.

 

Not sure yet? Get in touch with our team or call 03330 919 650 to ask any questions before you decide.

 

Check4Cancer is rated 4.8 out of 5 by more than 5,900 patients on Doctify.