GENETIC COUNSELING
Genetic counseling consists of a personalized process of communication and information, extremely important on the clinical level and delicate for the psychological and emotional implications.

The objectives of the oncogenic Counseling are:
• To ascertain through the reconstruction of personal and family clinical history the possibility that there is a genetic mutation of increased risk of a specific tumor
• Provide information on the clinical, prognostic and therapeutic aspects of the tumor
• Check the indication for the execution of the test for the mutation search
• Identify within the family the most suitable subject for the first test (probando)
• To illustrate indications, benefits and limits of genetic investigations
• positively influence the perception of risk
• Act on emotional states by decreasing anxiety
• Support decision making with the help of a psychologist and / or counselor
• Encourage the development of full awareness of decisions about one’s own health while respecting decision-making autonomy
• Discuss and plan a personalized program of instrumental clinical surveillance.

The fundamental moments of the oncogenic Counseling are:
1) Psychological support:
The decisional counseling must be distinguished from the real psychological support that has partly different objectives. Psychological support acts to help the person manage emotional and behavioral reactions that the knowledge of an increased risk of developing a tumor or being a carrier of mutation can produce in a subject. It also offers support in identifying cognitive strategies to effectively address the information obtained and the choices to be addressed.

2) Genetic test:
The genetic test consists of a peripheral blood sample.
Deciding whether and when to proceed with the genetic test is a free choice that must be made only when the subject feels ready. When the result is ready, the patient will have a second consultation (post-test) with the specialist who will explain: the result and the implications that it will have on future clinical control programs and the possibilities of reducing the risk by medical or surgical means.
During this second consultation we will discuss the opportunity to proceed with new tests to other relatives.

For more information:
Oncological Genetics Center
Tel: +39 3333767052/0934515215
urp@casadicurareginapacis.com

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