Ep. 54 “In your Genes: Unraveling the truth about Genetic Counseling”

What is genetic counseling--and what is it not? In this episode, we sit down with Madison Thomason, Certified Genetic Counselor, and patient advocate, Toria Williams, to demystify the field and explain how it empowers individuals and families through education, risk assessment, and support. Our guest discusses common misconceptions, what typically happens during a genetic counseling session, and the types of conditions that may lead someone to seek genetic counseling --such as family history of cancer, unknown history, or inherited syndromes. To bring the conversation to life, we share the real story of Toria Williams, patient and advocate for being proactive with your health by pursuing genetic testing. Toria describes her BRCA genetic testing, risk, and how it led to her decisions to pursue increased surveillance and surgical intervention. She discusses the many emotions, implications, and life-altering decisions that can result from a proactive rather than reactive approach to her own genetics. If you've ever wondered whether your DNA could hold important clues about your health--or feared what those answers might mean--this episode offers clarity, compassion and insight into the real role of genetic counseling in modern medicine.