How much do you
know about your family medical history?
The answer
could help save your life.
Thanksgiving is
also National Family History Day. It’s a reminder as you spend the day with your
family to know any health risks in your lineage.
Aspirus offers genetic
counseling services that can help you determine your own personal inherited
health risks, or those of other family members, and learn how personalized
medicine can impact your health.
“This isn’t
like one of those DNA kits you send in to learn your family ancestry,” says
Aspirus Genetic Counselor Victoria Ballard. “We’re looking at a specific panel
of genes to see if there are any potential issues.”
Genetic counseling
services are commonly used to determine a person’s risk for developing or
passing on inherited cancer, heart, pediatric, and prenatal-related conditions.
A genetic counselor
such as Victoria will help you:
- Find your chance of getting certain
diseases
- Decide if a genetic test is right
for you
- Learn
how knowing your genetic makeup could help you with disease prevention or
management so you can make more informed health care decisions.
“The more information we can get, the
better,” says Victoria. “This is one of the many great tools Aspirus has to
improve the lives of our patients.”
Call Aspirus with
questions. A referral from your provider is needed for a visit with a genetic
counselor.
To learn more or for an appointment
call 715-847-0450 or 844-212-4556,
or email Genetics@aspirus.org.