"If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind, whom should we serve?"
WHAT IS GENETIC COUNSELING?
The suspicion of a genetic disorder in a newborn, a family history of cancers, a positive result from a prenatal genetic screen for Down syndrome, a child diagnosed with Autism— these are a few examples of scenarios that confront patients with complex information to be understood and assimilated, and with an array of conflicting emotions. These - as well as other- scenarios oftentimes require difficult decision-making that involve many technical, ethical and highly personal questions. Genetic counseling plays an invaluable role in this process by offering specialized services within a clinical setting.
Genetic Counselors help individuals address the scientific and emotional issues that arise in such situations and actively help them make informed decisions based on their own values and individual circumstances.
WHAT DOES GENETIC COUNSELING INVOLVE?
RISK ASSESSMENT
Interpretation of family and medical histories to assess the chance of disease occurrence or recurrence
EDUCATION
About the natural history of the condition, inheritance pattern, testing, management, prevention, support resources and research
INFORMED CHOICES
Counselling to promote informed choices in view of risk assessment, family goals, ethical and religious values
SUPPORTIVE COUNSELING
Support to encourage the best possible adjustment to the disorder in an affected family member and/or to the risk of recurrence of that disorder
HOW TO PREPARE FOR GENETIC COUNSELING?
Genetic Counseling appointments are quite a bit different as compared to your typical doctor’s appointments. They typically last anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour, and are designed to be an opportunity to ask questions, raise any concerns/fears you may have, and learn more. You can get the most out of your genetic counseling appointment if you gather as much information as possible about your family history beforehand, if possible. Helpful information includes:
MEDICAL RECORDS
This includes doctors' notes and pathology reports. These are important in order to confirm a clinical diagnosis or rule out a suspected diagnosis. Your medical records are extremely helpful in guiding genetic assessment and/or testing.
FAMILY MEMBERS & THEIR HEALTH
This includes each person's current age or age at the time of diagnosis or death, and cause of death. This list should include blood relatives only (parents, siblings, children, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandparents, and cousins) on both sides of your family.
MAJOR DISEASES IN FAMILY
Make a note of any cancers, heart disease, mental illness, known genetic conditions, birth defects, mental retardation, infant/sudden deaths, any miscarriages or fertility issues. Don’t forget to complete a health history questionnaire before your appointment.
WHEN TO REFER TO GENETIC COUNSELING?
Appropriate for healthy individuals wanting to understand their genetic predisposition to conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and other multifactorial conditions.
- Family history usually includes older adults with Type 2 Diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, sporadic (one-off) cases of cancer, etc.
- The purpose of Genomepatri Genetic Counseling is to help individuals understand what their DNA says about their chances of developing multifactorial conditions in the future
- The aim of Genomepatri Genetic Counseling is to:
- Provide education about symptoms of at-risk conditions for the purpose of being proactive through awareness
- Put together a prevention-focused plan that includes diet and lifestyle-based strategies for risk reduction
- Recommend standard of care tests for targeted monitoring in order to facilitate life-saving early intervention and timely treatment
MEET OUR GENETIC COUNSELORS!
Pooja Ramchandran
Director of Genetic Counseling
Neyha Zainab Abbas
Genetic Counselor
...and more!
RECOMMENDATIONS
I was fortunate to have Dr. Risha Nahar Lulla as my Genetic Counselor. The entire consultation with Dr. Risha for over an hour to brief me about the details of my report was extremely informative and helpful. She was warm, kind and patient enough to elaborate on all aspects of my report. She counseled me and suggested proactive steps & preventive care that can be taken care of to avoid the probable risk conditions which I can be predisposed to, due to genetics. She is focused, methodical, attentive, and empathetic. She settled all my concerns, queries and clarifications. I highly recommend her services as a Genetic Counselor. Stay happy & blessed Dr. Risha Nahar!
Madhu P (Clinical Research Manager at CHL Group of Hospitals)
I am happy to write this commendation for Dr. Risha Nahar Lulla. I had the good fortune of using mapmygenome genompatri service and as part of the offering they provided me an hour consultation with Dr. Risha to brief me about the details of the my genome report. She was kind enough to elaborate in detail all the aspects of the report and also took enough care to suggest proactive steps & preventive care to deal with some of the probable risk conditions in future. She is very attentive, curious and empathetic towards consumers. I highly recommend her service and wish her best of fortune in all her endeavors. Best Regards, Dinesh Chandrasekar
Dinesh Chandrasekar DC PhD(h.c)
[Director,Solutions & Innovation@Hitachi Consulting
Innovator Design Thinker Digital & IoT Evangelist Speaker Author]
I had the opportunity to receive counselling from Dr. Risha Nahar Lulla on the results of my DNA tests. Dr. Risha Nahar Lulla is very professional, is providing very thorough and articulated explanations that are easy to understand for people with no medical background. She is giving very good advice and is adapting her answers specifically to my own case. I had a very good interaction with her.
Francois Therin [Director at IMT (Institute of Management Technology) Dubai]
I have known and worked with Dr. Risha Nahar Lulla for about a year now , while she is associated with Mapmygenome. (dot) com. She has been of immense help for all clients needing genetic counselling in my routine & high risk Obstetrics practice. As my particular interest is of Recurrent Pregnancy losses, Dr Risha has Couselled for genetic disorders leading to losses. Some of the rarer genetic syndromes, she has helped research. With her vast knowledge & experience in the field of genetics , Dr Risha is an asset for any organisation .
Pratibha Narayan
[Senior Consulting Obstetrician & Gynecologist]
very professional and committed to her subject. pleasant personality ...a joy to interact with
Chinmayee Ratha [Lead Consultant- Fetal medicine at Resolution Fetal Care Centre]
I was taken Genitc counseling with Dr. Risha Nahar Lulla and she analyzed in micro level in each condition and suggested further in detailed report. She supported to get my medical approval in professional way. She is one of the best doctor i ever seen in genitics regarding knowledge, experience, response, support and flexibility etc. I am strongly recommending her for any genitc issues.
Hanumanthu Bethini [Transformer Engineer at Siemens W.L.L]
Dr. Risha Nahar Lulla is a great Genetic Counselor & Consultant. She counselled me with my WGS data analysis interpretation. I highly recommend her and MapMyGenome.
Siavosh Zarrasvand [Application Security & Software Engineering]
Dr. Risha Nahar Lulla is extremely knowledgeable in her field of study, Genomics. Apart from this, what sets her at the top is her expertise to counsel her patients in a very approachable way and provide easy to follow recommendations, all the while motivating them. She patiently answers your questions and encourages you ask more questions until she makes sure you understood the matter at hand. Would definitely recommend her as she does her job putting her heart into her work.
Neeharika Jakkampudi [End-to-End Product Ownership, Start-up Ecosystem, Crisis Management]
Dr. Risha Nahar Lulla. Thanks for great session on genomic report. Very Impressive insights. .
Anil Sharma [Head, Strategy - Incubation & TCS Entrepreneurship Junction (TEJ)]
Dr. Risha Nahar Lulla is a thorough professional. She was able to alleviate all my doubts during the counselling session with great clarity.
Xytiz Saraf [First Officer at Vistara - TATA SIA Airlines Ltd.]
Dr. Risha Nahar Lulla is One of most effective healthcare counsellor I met. The depth of knowledge, ability to apply genomics findings to healthcare recommendations and ability to explain in mundane language - are exceptional skills I attribute to her. I didn't realise that I spent close to two hours against slotted 45 minutes counselling session. She could preempt all my questions that I noted to ask the counsellor, which implies her ability to think empathetically about a case. Her recommendations are realistic. She could uncover very simple changes that I could adopt.
Suryamohan Surampudi
[Head - Plant IT GxP Assurance & Administration]
We had Dr. Risha Nahar Lulla as our Genomic Counsellor when we were expecting a baby. She was extremely friendly, patient, & helped us understand the data really well. She's knowledgeable, has communication skills and empathy. Would happily recommend her & her organization to others.
Arun Gadiraju [Founder & CEO at boomer.co]
Dr. Risha Nahar Lulla, She is a Brilliant Genomicist .
Abhishek Gupta [DND]