Understanding Genetic Counselling: 5 Common Questions Answered
27 February 2026
Understanding Genetic Counselling: 5 Common Questions Answered
“If certain health conditions run in my family, will I or my child be affected?”
Has this question ever crossed your mind? If you’re concerned about inherited conditions, family health risks, or genetic diseases, genetic counselling can help you understand what these risks mean for you and your loved ones and how to move forward with clarity.
Genetic counselling in Malaysia may be still relatively new to some, but it plays an important role in preventive healthcare and your future health. Senior genetic counsellor Ms Tiong Shing Yiing addresses five frequently asked questions to help us understand this service better.
1. What is Genetic Counselling?
Genetic counselling is a communication process that helps individuals and families understand genetic-related medical conditions and their psychological and familial implications. It provides insight into inherited risks and so that patients can plan for a healthier future.
2. What Does a Genetic Counsellor Do?
Genetic counsellors are healthcare professionals trained in genetics and basic counselling. They help individuals, couples and families understand how genetic factors and inherited conditions may have an impact on their health.
A key part of their role is providing psychosocial support, helping patients adapt to genetic conditions and navigate the emotional impact of results. They guide patients through the genetic testing process, including explaining available tests and interpreting complex test results. Genetic counsellors also work hand-in-hand with doctors and other healthcare professionals, offering expertise in suitable test selection and accurate result interpretation.
3. Who Should Consider Genetic Counselling?
While anyone can benefit, the following groups are encouraged to consider it:
- Individuals who:
- Have been diagnosed with cancer (e.g. breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, etc.)
- Have a family history of certain medical conditions
- Want to understand their inherited health risks
- Couples planning for a family who:
- Want to find out if they are carriers of inherited diseases
- Want to assess potential health risks to their future child
- Would like to explore pregnancy options based on genetic findings
4. What Happens During a Genetic Counselling Session?
With the rise of direct-to-consumer DNA tests, many people receive genetic information without proper guidance. Clinical genetic counselling provides structured evaluation, interpretation and holistic support. Here’s a breakdown of a typical session:
Pre-Test Counselling
This session usually lasts about one hour. The counsellor will:
- Explore your personal and family medical history
- Explain relevant genetic conditions and concepts in clear, simple terms
- Discuss the benefits, limitations and possible outcomes of testing
- Discuss your concerns for considering genetic testing
- Recommend suitable genetic tests
This step ensures you fully understand what the test means and mentally prepares you for potential results.
Post-Test Counselling
If you have provided informed consent and decide to proceed with testing, the genetic counsellor will arrange to meet with you to interpret the results. They will explain the findings to you and your family, helping you plan the next possible steps. Receiving genetic results can sometimes bring up emotions such as anxiety, denial, grief, or guilt. During this stage, the genetic counsellor provides guidance and emotional support, helping you and family members cope with these responses.
Multidisciplinary Care
Genetic counselling is part of a bigger healthcare approach. Depending on your results, you may be referred to doctors or other specialists. This multidisciplinary collaboration ensures you receive comprehensive care that addresses your physical, emotional and psychological needs.
5. Why is Genetic Counselling Important?
Genetic testing can determine whether you or your family members have a higher risk of certain health conditions. This knowledge supports early detection, preventive strategies and opting for alternative treatment plans.
For example:
Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk
Patients suspected of breast cancer may undergo testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations. If results come back positive, doctors can use them to recommend suitable treatment options.
Carrier Screening for Couples
Couples planning a pregnancy may discover they are carriers of thalassaemia, an inherited blood disorder. With proper counselling, they can explore options such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) combined with pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) to reduce the risk of passing this condition to their child.
Watch the Interview Session with Ms Tiong
Taking the First Step
Discovering your genetic risks early is the first step to long-term health and prevention. At Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City, our personalised genetic counselling services and multidisciplinary team are here to guide you and your family, every step of the way.
