Is Your Genetic Information Protected?

Genetic testing can provide you with very helpful and interesting information. However, many patients/individuals wonder about privacy and who can access their genetic information.

For my capstone project, I developed a video resource focused on protections from genetic discrimination, specifically tailored to women of African ancestry navigating breast cancer genetic counseling and testing.

The video covers essential topics such as:

• Understanding genetic discrimination and its implications for breast cancer patients.

• Legal protections provided by the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA).

• Clinical testing vs. Direct to consumer genetic testing

• Practical advice and information from a current cancer genetic counselor.

https://youtu.be/bHdftm_2CPM?si=sW8-qlha8orYM2lS 

The short answer is that genetic testing ordered by a doctor and a genetic counselor (often called “clinical genetic testing”) has the best privacy protections. You can learn more from the National Human Genome Research Institute.

I proud to say that I’m currently working as a Cancer Genetic Counselor in Reading, PA. I hope to be available to support GC students looking for shadowing opportunities in 2026.

If you have a family history of cancer and are located in the Reading area, please use the contact button below. I’ll do my best to help you or get you in touch with another GC who can.