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Genetic counseling

Genetic counseling

What it does and when it makes sense

Genetic counseling for cancer

Genetic counseling helps you to better classify your personal risk of hereditary cancer. It is particularly useful if certain types of cancer are more common in your family or have already occurred at a young age.
The aim of counseling is to enable you to make informed decisions about early detection, screening or possible genetic tests - individually, confidentially and based on scientific evidence.

Typical indications of a hereditary cancer risk

Familial clustering of cancer

If several close relatives - for example mother, father, siblings or grandparents - suffer from the same or related cancers, genetic testing may be useful.

Genetic counseling for familial clustering of certain diseases:

  • Breast cancer
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Colorectal cancer (e.g. familial adenomatous polyposis, Lynch syndrome)
  • Uterine cancer

Early age of onset

Have you or a family member been diagnosed with cancer before the age of 50? This may indicate a genetic predisposition.

Multiple tumors in one person

If a person has multiple cases of cancer in the family - such as breast and ovarian cancer - genetic counseling can help to better classify risks.

Rare tumor types

In the case of very rare tumors (e.g. medullary thyroid carcinoma), genetic testing is worthwhile - even if there are no other known cases in the family.

Genetic mutation known

If you or a relative have been diagnosed with a known mutation (e.g. BRCA1/2, Lynch syndrome), other family members should also be informed and advised.

Provision for children and relatives

Genetic counseling can help to plan and implement preventive measures for children, siblings or other relatives at an early stage.

Tip:

Talk to your doctor if you are unsure. Genetic counseling can be tailored to your individual situation.

Questions about genetic counseling

What happens during genetic counseling?

The consultation begins with a detailed analysis of your family and personal medical history. The counseling team will then work with you to clarify this:

  • Whether a genetic test makes sense
  • Which preventive measures are recommended in your case
  • What a test result would mean for you and your family
  • Whether your children or siblings could also be affected

Advice is provided in specialized centers by experienced professionals and is tailored to your individual situation.

Also important for relatives

If you or a family member have been diagnosed with a hereditary cancer, your children or close relatives should also take advantage of genetic counseling. This allows risks to be identified early and targeted prevention strategies to be developed.
How does genetic testing work - and who covers the costs?
Whether a genetic test is carried out depends on the individually assessed risk and your personal wishes. If the requirements are met, your doctor will submit an application to your health insurance company for approval of the costs.

How does genetic testing work - and who covers the costs?

Whether a genetic test is carried out depends on the individually assessed risk and your personal wishes. If the requirements are met, your doctor will submit an application to your health insurance company for approval of the costs.

What do you need to know?

  • A simple blood sample is sufficient for the genetic test
  • Processing by the health insurance company and the subsequent laboratory analysis can take several weeks
  • As soon as the test results are available, they will be explained in detail and discussed with you in a personal consultation
  • This will also include possible consequences for your medical care or preventive care

Who is allowed to offer genetic counseling?

In Switzerland, only qualified specialists are authorized to provide genetic counselling and testing.

Specialists in medical genetics (SGMG)

  • They specialize in providing advice on all hereditary diseases.
  • Members of the Swiss Cancer Institute in the CPTC network
  • They provide targeted advice on hereditary cancer risk - both patients and their family members.

The CPTC ("Network for Cancer Predisposition Testing and Counseling") is an association of experienced specialists in the field of genetic cancer counseling.

Your advantage: Security through specialization

At all genetic counseling centers, you will receive a well-founded assessment of your personal risk, individual recommendations for testing and screening - as well as empathetic support every step of the way.

Registering for genetic counseling - how to proceed

If you would like genetic counseling due to your own cancer or frequent cases of cancer in your family, you have two options:

  • Referral by your treating doctor
    Speak to your family doctor, gynecologist, oncologist or other healthcare professional. They can issue a referral for genetic counseling and refer you to a qualified counseling center.
  • Direct contact with our network. You can also contact a specialist in the Swiss Cancer Institute's CPTC network yourself. These doctors specialize in genetic counselling and testing for hereditary cancer risk and meet the requirements of the Health Care Benefits Ordinance (KLV).

Recommendation/Tip

Seek advice at an early stage - especially if you have a family history of certain cancers or are considering genetic testing before treatment.

Genetic counseling centers in Switzerland -
Your points of contact for qualified support

The performance of genetic tests is strictly regulated by law in Switzerland. A genetic test may only be carried out after extensive counseling by specially trained medical specialists - and only with your "informed consent".

Here you will find an overview of the recognized advice centres in our network.

  • hoch Health Ostschweiz - Kantonsspital St. Gallen Brustzentrum Rorschacherstrasse 95 9007 St. Gallen

    Verantwortliche Personen:

    • Dr. med. Christine Strub
    • PD Dr. med. Inga Bekes
    • Dr. med. Pagona Markellou
    • Dr. med. Susanne Driessen
    • Dr. med. Irene Trummer Sander
  • TBZO Tumor- und BrustZentrum Ostschweiz - Sargans Genetische Beratung - Standort Sargans Bahnhofpark 2b 7320 Sargans

    Verantwortliche Personen:

    • Prof. Dr. med. Katja Zirlik
    • Dr. med. Stefan Greuter
  • hoch Health Ostschweiz - Kantonsspital St. Gallen Klinik für Medizinische Onkologie und Hämatologie Rorschacherstrasse 95 9007 St. Gallen

    Verantwortliche Personen:

    • PD Dr. med. Thomas Hundsberger
    • Dr. med. Stefanie Fischer
  • TBZO Tumor- und BrustZentrum Ostschweiz - Rapperswil Genetische Beratung - Standort Rapperswil Alte Jonastrasse 24 8640 Rapperswil

    Verantwortliche Personen:

    • Dr. med. Mareike Buchmann
    • Dr. med. Matthias Egger
  • TBZO Tumor- & Brustzentrum Ostschweiz Genetische Beratung - Standort St. Gallen Rorschacher Strasse 286 9016 St. Gallen

    Verantwortliche Personen:

    • Dr. med. Rahel Hiltebrand
    • Dr. med. Isabella Schönenberger
    • Dr. med. Patrik Weder
    • Prof. Dr. med. Thomas Ruhstaller
    • PD Dr. med. et scient. med. Michael Knauer
    • Dr. med. Salome Riniker
    • Dr. med. Markus Niemeyer
    • Dr. med. Verena Egidy-Pioch
    • Dr. med. Tamara Parissenti
  • hoch Health Ostschweiz - Kantonsspital St. Gallen Genetische Sprechstunde Rorschacher Strasse 95 Haus 11 9007 St. Gallen

    Verantwortliche Personen:

    • Dr. med. Barbara Denecke
    • Dr. med. Silvia Miranda Azzarello-Burri
  • hoch Health Ostschweiz - Spital Grabs Gynäkologie 44 Spitalstrasse 9472 Grabs

    Verantwortliche Personen:

    • Dr. med. Anna Berlinger
  • hoch Health Ostschweiz - Spital Grabs Medizinische Onkologie Spitalstrasse 44 9472 Grabs

    Verantwortliche Personen:

    • Dr. med. Barbara Bleisch
  • Praxis Lerchenfeld AG Wil Genetische Beratung Friedtalweg 19 9500 Wil

    Verantwortliche Personen:

    • Dr. med. Barbara Hüberli-Zahner
  • hoch Health Ostschweiz - Spital Linth Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe Gasterstrasse 25 8730 Uznach

    Verantwortliche Personen:

    • Dr. med. Stefanie Huggle