Genetic Counseling Program
Overview
What is genetic counseling?
Genetic counseling is a process of helping individuals and families understand how genetic conditions might affect them. By assessing your personal and family medical history, a genetic counselor will be able to determine the likeliness of either inheriting or passing on a genetic disorder and help you decide if genetic testing is an option for you.
Our Cancer Genetic Counseling Program provides personalized, evidence-based care for individuals with a personal and/or family history of cancer. While most cancers are sporadic, some are linked to inherited genetic predisposition. Identifying these inherited risks enables tailored strategies for cancer screening, prevention and management for both individuals and their families.
If you are new to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, you can schedule an appointment with one of our Primary Care or Preventive Medicine doctors, who will then refer you to our Cancer Genetic Counseling team.
Genetic Counseling
Who may benefit from genetic counseling?
You may benefit from cancer genetic counselling if you have:
- A personal or family history of cancer, especially at a younger age (≤50 years) or involving multiple relatives
- Multiple or rare cancer patterns, including bilateral cancers or more than one primary cancer in the same individual
- Cancers commonly associated with hereditary syndromes (e.g., ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, male breast, medullary thyroid)
- A known familial cancer-related genetic variant in one of the cancer genes (e.g., BRCA1, BRCA2)
- Previous genetic testing results, for example from the Emirates Genome project, and would like further clarification or guidance. A genetic counsellor can help you understand what your results mean, and their implications, and will outline options for any recommended further testing.
What to Expect
Our licensed and board-certified Genetic Counselors provide comprehensive care, including:
- A review of your personal and family history with individualized risk assessment
- Pre-test counselling, including discussion of genetic testing options, benefits and limitations
- Coordination of appropriate genetic testing when indicated
- Post-test counseling, through clear interpretation of results and guidance on medical and family implications
- Personalized recommendations for cancer screening, prevention and risk reduction
- Support for testing at-risk relatives (familial cascade testing), along with education and ongoing support.
Meet Our Team
Speak to your doctor at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi to discuss any concerns you may have, and if genetic counselling is recommended for you. Genetic counselling is available by referral from a physician at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
