Genetic counselors play a key role in many healthcare settings. At UC Davis Health, there are genetic counselors at work in adult, pediatric, pre-natal, and oncology clinics.
Genetic counselors evaluate patients for features of hereditary or genetic conditions and order appropriate testing to reach a diagnosis. The diagnosis of a genetic condition can have huge implications for the patient and their family: it can provide a long-awaited answer for the patient’s signs/symptoms and help guide treatment, screening or preventive care.
Genetic counselors also educate the patient’s family about how the genetic condition is inherited and help identify other family members who should consider genetic evaluation/testing.
Pictured: Guadalupe Carvajal, Nicole Mans, Makenzie Fong, and Julia Martinez, genetic counselors in the Hereditary Cancer Program at the Cancer Center.
Approximately 5 to 10 percent of cancers are associated with an inherited gene mutation. Genetic testing can help determine whether a mutation is the underlying cause of an individual’s cancer and whether they have a higher risk of developing additional cancers. Genetic testing also may be informative for individuals who do not have cancer but have a family history of cancer. Genetic test results have implications for other family members as well.
Genomic Medicine Clinic
The Genomic team at the MIND Institute.
The goal of the Genomic Medicine Division at the MIND Institute is to help improve the quality of life for individuals, both children and adults, and family members of individuals with genetic disorders through clinical care, research, and education.
Maternal Fetal Medicine
This multidisciplinary team provides expert, high-risk obstetrical care for maternal and fetal conditions that can occur during pregnancy.
Today, Nov. 14, is Genetic Counselor Awareness Day. If you see one of our genetic counselors or work with the team often, please thank them for their dedication to our patients.
