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Genetic testing top of mind this week

Published By Matt , 5 years ago

This Thursday 8 November marks the second annual Genetic Counsellor Awareness Day, where genetic counsellors rally the public to take advantage of the suite of break through tests which could save lives.

 

The government is backing the importance of genetic testing with recent announcement of the investment of $500 million into genetic testing, with the first project focussed on pre-conception screening for rare and debilitating genetic birth disorders. It is thought that one in 20 Australians thought to carry the genes that could lead Cystic Fibrosis, Fragile X and Spinal Muscular Atrophy in babies.

 

61 year old Wendy Harrold’s mother died from breast cancer and last year after getting genetic testing found she also had breast cancer mutated gene. She’s now urged her six children to get tested and says she first visited a private genetic counsellor Matt Burgess at Insight Genomica.

 

“Matt was my first port of call. He explained to me about my gene and a bit about how genetics works.

 

“Genetic counsellors play a huge roll in whatever decision you decide to make, they help you understand everything about your gene and give you immense clarity on what the genes do for you and what it means when you have a faulty gene.

 

“Matt played a very big part in my journey over the past 16 months as I went on to have a double mastectomy and reconstruction which I’m currently still recovering from.”

 

Genetic counsellors have advanced training in medical genetics and counselling which can be a vital part of an individual’s healthcare team. They provide guidance on whether genetic tests may or may not be right for you, translate the results and help you make informed choices about your healthcare.

 

With 300 plus genetic counsellors in Australasia, the Australasian Society of Genetic Counsellors are marking the day with a social media campaign to raise awareness of this importance of profession across Australia and New Zealand using hashtags #IAmaGeneticCounselor and #ANZGeneticCounsellors.

 

“There is a lot of information out there on genetic testing, however, there can be a lot of confusion too, which is where genetic counsellors come in”, says Matt Burgess, Director of Insight Genomica, one of the only private genetic counselling services in the country. 

 

“Genetic counsellors are the professionals who can help guide you and your family make sense of what you discover locked inside your genome.

 

“They guide individuals and families through this complex area and answer important questions about potential health issues that could affect you now and in your future.

 

“They help you understand how inherited diseases and conditions might affect you or your family, or even just information pertaining to your ancestry or physical make up.

 

Australia is seeing an explosion in the number of people seeking to understand more about their genetics and genetic counsellors possess a very unique and specialised skillset and work in many areas of medicine, including cancer, prenatal, cardiology, neurology, infertility, paediatric and adult.

 

Many work in patient-facing roles in various types of healthcare settings, whereas others do research or work in education, or in industry settings.

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