The process

After our first discussion and before we meet for the first time, it is useful to gather as much information as possible about the family history of the condition in the family, including diagnoses and ages of onset.

A genetics consultation is usually about an hour long. We will discuss your personal history of conditions of concern and analyse your family history before assessing the risk of an inherited condition in the family.

We will then talk about the implications of a genetic test for you and your family.

Finally, if appropriate, we will talk about options for genetic testing.

If you decide to proceed with testing, arrangements will be made for you to provide a sample at a pathology laboratory.

Follow-up appointments are usually shorter and include returning, explaining and discussing your genetic results and seeing family members who may be at risk.

The reasons that a person might consult a genetic counsellor can include the following:

• A personal or family history of a genetic condition, birth defect, chromosomal disorder, or hereditary cancer.
• Two or more pregnancy losses (miscarriages), a stillbirth, or a baby who died.
• A child with a known inherited disorder, a birth defect, intellectual disability, or developmental delay.
• A woman who is pregnant or plans to become pregnant at or after age 35. (Some chromosomal disorders occur more frequently in children born to older women.)
• Abnormal test results that suggest a genetic or chromosomal condition.
• An increased risk of developing or passing on a particular genetic disorder based on a person’s ethnic background.
• People related by blood (for example, cousins) who plan to have children together. (A child whose parents are related may be at an increased risk of inheriting certain genetic disorders.)
• One or more family members with early deaths due to known or unknown medical conditions
• One or more family members with adult-onset health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, dementia, or cancer, particularly if onset is early in adulthood
• Those who have or are concerned that their child has developmental delays that may be due to an inherited disorder or birth defect
• Anyone who is interested in genetic testing or screening
• People concerned that their jobs, lifestyles, or medical history may pose a risk to the outcome of a pregnancy. Common causes of concern include exposure to radiation, medications, illegal drugs, chemicals, or infections
• Pregnant women whose ultrasound examinations or blood testing indicate that their pregnancy may be at increased risk for certain complications or birth defects
• Anyone who is concerned about the risk of developing a psychiatric condition due to their family history
• People who would like to explore their results from a direct-to-consumer or ancestry test

The pricing structure

2024 prices (valid until March 2025)

R1600 for the first consultation.

Follow-ups between R800 and R1000