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Genetic counselors are specialized
health professionals who are
certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) to counsel
individuals and families about genetic disease and birth defects. Counselors are typically the initial contact point for
patients with the department and act as case managers and liaisons for
the health care team throughout the evaluation process.
Genetic counselors work with patients from varied sociocultural
and educational backgrounds to obtain family histories, explain genetic
risk, assess psychosocial status, explain the ramifications of
disorders, and provide support to assist in adjustment to the physical
and emotional issues surrounding genetic diagnoses.
Cancer genetic counseling is available and is affiliated with the
South Carolina Cancer Center. USC
Clinical Genetics is home to the University of South Carolina Master’s
Degree Program in Genetic Counseling, having educated over 125 genetic
counselors to date. Genetic
counselors also provide education to practicing professionals, health
care students, and lay groups.
Counseling
Services
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Prenatal counseling for advanced
maternal age, first trimester screening, multiple marker screening, including screen
positive for Down syndrome, screen positive for Neural Tube Defect (NTD),
and screen positive for Trisomy 18, family history of genetic disorder,
and potential teratogenic exposure.
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Preconception genetic counseling and
analysis of risk factors.
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Infertility genetic counseling for
couples experiencing infertility or multiple pregnancy losses.
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Cancer genetic counseling for
individuals at high risk for breast, ovarian, colon and other cancers.
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Coordination of testing with outside
laboratories for patients with rare disorders.
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