Digital illustration of a DNA double helix composed of glowing colored lines and dots on a dark background.

Genetic Testing & Counseling

Avera genetic counselors help you understand your genetic risk – information that may inform your health care decisions. Come see us for personalized testing and private consultation.

See Providers Find a Location

The field of genetics is rapidly changing. As the blueprint of your body, genes are made up of DNA and play an important role in the cause of many illnesses. By studying DNA and its interaction with the environment, genetic counselors can help determine how genes influence health and responses to treatment.

Genetic counseling and testing is right for you if you are concerned about genetic conditions that run in your family and/or are planning a pregnancy. Avera genetic counselors will help you understand the benefits of genetic testing, and help you understand your results. Genetic testing may be an option for you within these specialties:

  • Cancer
  • Obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine
  • Cardiology
  • Neurology

Types of Genetic Counseling

Knowing your own genetic risk for diseases is helpful if you have a personal or family history of disease, including cancer, or would like to plan for a pregnancy.

Expecting Parents

As you think of starting or expanding your family, you may be concerned about inherited or sporadic genetic disorders. Working with Avera’s team of experts who specialize in prenatal genetic testing and counseling, you’ll learn about:

  • Your risk of passing genetic disorders
  • The nature of these genetic disorders
  • Options to manage, prevent or reduce them
  • Risk factors of concern unrelated to genetic tendencies
  • Methods of preparation for test results
  • Prenatal care services that can help you care for children who may have special needs

You can find out your carrier status for a range of health conditions, if you want or need this information.

Learn More

Cancer Risk

If you’ve wondered about your risk for cancer, or your kids’ risk, talk to a genetic counselor at Avera Cancer Institute to find answers to your questions. During the visit, you’ll receive the information you need to make future health care decisions about cancer screening and genetic testing. Through a genetic test, you and your providers may gain insight to determine how to better prevent cancer or catch it in its earliest stages.

Common examples include mutations of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes which cause a higher risk for breast and ovarian cancers. Or, gene mutations for Lynch syndrome, which predisposes people to colon and endometrial cancers.

See Details

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I consider prenatal genetic counseling?

Your doctor may suggest adding a genetic counselor to your comprehensive Avera team in situations such as:

  • Family history of a genetic condition
  • Pregnancy in women over age 35
  • Increased risk of complications or birth defects from non-genetic factors, including diabetes, diet, medication exposure, recreational drug use and more
  • Concerns about findings from prenatal ultrasound and/or other screening tests
  • Pregnancy following the birth of a child with a genetic condition

Remember, many expectant parents who participate in genetic counseling go on to experience uncomplicated pregnancies and welcome healthy babies.

How will I benefit from prenatal genetic counseling?

When you visit with an Avera professional for prenatal genetic testing and counseling, you’ll be equipped to:

  • Better prepare for test results and for the arrival of your child.
  • Closely understand how to meet your child’s health care needs.
  • Determine the healthiest choices for you and your family.
  • Develop a greater understanding of tests or testing results.
  • Feel greater comfort about the testing process.
  • Make informed decisions regarding testing options.
  • Experience peace of mind if testing is normal.

When should I consider cancer genetic counseling?

Your provider may suggest talking to a genetic counselor if your personal or family history includes any of the following:

  • Multiple family members with the same type of cancer or related cancers, such as breast/ovarian/pancreatic or colon/uterine/ovarian
  • Cancer that occurs at an early age (under 50 years old)
  • Rare cancers, such as male breast cancer, medullary thyroid cancer or ovarian cancer
  • More than one cancer in the same family member
  • Family history of a known gene mutation, including BRCA1 and MLH1
  • Multiple colon polyps
  • Jewish ancestry and family history of breast or ovarian cancer (certain ethnicities have higher frequencies of certain genetic disorders)

How will I benefit from cancer genetic counseling?

When you visit with an Avera professional for genetic counseling, you’ll be equipped to:

  • Make the healthiest choices for your household.
  • Decide how to best meet your health care needs.
  • Make informed decisions about screening options.
  • Get more frequent or more extensive cancer screenings, if needed.
  • Better understand tests and test results.
  • Feel greater comfort with your plan of action.
  • Gain peace of mind if no genetic risk is reported in your results.

Get Answers to Your Genetics & Health Questions

Avera experts make complicated topics simple. We offer local, convenient experts with understandable answers on any DNA, genetic or genomic medicine questions you have.

See Providers Find a Location

Meet Our Team