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Questions to Ask Your Genetic Counseling Provider

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Use this page to help guide the questions you ask your genetic counselor before you undergo any genetic tests. Bring a pen, and possibly a notebook, to your appointment. You can print and fill in answers to each question below and should feel free to add any other questions that you may want answered.

  1. What type of genetic test would you recommend?

 

  1. What does the genetic testing process involve?

 

  1. How likely is it that I have a CDH1 or other cancer-related gene variant?

 

  1. If I test positive for a CDH1 variant, what cancers am I at risk of developing?

 

  1. What can I do to reduce my chance of developing cancer?

 

  1. Does the test provide information about my risk for other diseases besides cancer?

 

  1. If I haven’t been diagnosed with cancer and I test positive for an inherited cancer gene variant, does that mean I am going to be diagnosed with cancer?

 

  1. If I haven’t been diagnosed with cancer and I test negative for a cancer gene variant, does that mean my cancer risk is not higher than average?

 

  1. Is it possible for my results to be uncertain?

 

  1. If I’ve already been diagnosed with cancer, can genetic testing help predict whether the cancer will come back?

 

  1. If I get genetic testing now, do I need to get tested again in the future?

 

  1. How will the results of my genetic test impact my family members?

 

  1. What are my options to pay for genetic testing?

 

  1. Can my health or life insurance company increase my rates if I test positive?

 

  1. Should I obtain life insurance before undergoing genetic testing?