Genetic Counseling, Centers in Switzerland

What is genetic counseling?

The purpose of genetic counseling is to help people understand the genetic contribution to disease.  The identification of hereditary risk of developing a medical condition may allow for preventive measures where possible.

Predispositions to certain cancers can run in families. This may manifest as an accumulation of certain cancer types. One example is the combination of breast and ovarian cancer within one family. The predisposition to these diseases is caused by an error in the DNA (mutation) and can be transmitted to the individual’s children.

How genetic counseling and testing are done

The likelihood of a genetic predisposition to cancer in an individual can be estimated based on the personal and family history of cancer and specific characteristics (i.e., which types of cancer occurred at what age).  Depending on the level of this risk, and in accordance with the individual being counselled, a genetic test may be proposed.  In order to avoid billing problems, an application can be made to the health insurance provider to approve the cost of genetic analysis prior to testing.  It can take several weeks for the application to be processed by the health insurer and the testing to be completed.

 The test itself involves no more than a blood sample. However, it must always be accompanied by explanation of the implications for the individual being tested and their family.  In the counseling session, the results of the test and the possible consequences are discussed.

Counseling centers in Switzerland

Swiss law contains specific provisions on genetic testing in humans (Federal Act on Human Genetic Testing HGTA).

Genetic testing may only be carried out if comprehensive counseling has been provided beforehand by a specially qualified doctor and the person has given their informed consent. Counseling of this kind may only be provided by doctors who have a qualification in medical genetics (Swiss Society of Medical Genetics, SGMG) or are members of the Network for Cancer Predisposition Testing and Counseling, CPTC of the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK).

Medical genetics specialists (SGMG) provide counseling on all hereditary diseases, while the members of the SAKK CPTC network counsel patients and families with hereditary predisposition to cancer.

The list of members in the CPTC network is shown at the bottom of this page.

Requesting counseling

If you would like to receive genetic counseling, you can ask your doctor (preferably your family doctor or gynecologist) to refer you or you can contact a counseling center directly.

You can find here the contact information of the SAKK network's centres that deliver genetic counseling and evaluation for cancer predisposition testing according to the regulation of the Krankenpflege Leistungsverordnung (KVL) / Ordonnance sur les prestations de l’assurance des soins (OPAS) / Ordinanza sulle prestazioni (OPre) art. 12, let. f.

Aargau

Gesundheitszentrum Fricktal
Frauenklinik
Riburgerstrasse 12
4310 Rheinfelden
Responsible :
Dr. med. Stefanie Stirnberg
KSA Kantonsspital Aarau
Medizinische Genetik
Tellstrasse 25
5001 Aarau
Responsible :
Dr. med. Anna Tina Casanova
KSA Kantonsspital Aarau
Gynäkologisches Krebszentrum
Tellstrasse 25
5001 Aarau
Responsible :
Dr. Susanne Fasler
Dr. med. Vasiliki Gorgorino
dipl. Ärztin Vaia Karagkiozoglou
Kantonsspital Baden AG
Onkologie und Hämatologie
Im Ergel 1
5404 Baden
Responsible :
Dr. med. Priska Bützberger
Dr. med. Clemens Caspar
Dr. med. Andreas Erdmann
Dr. med. Tilly Nothhelfer
Kantonsspital Baden AG
Tumorzentrum
Im Ergel 1
5404 Baden
Responsible :
Prof. Dr. med. Martin L. Heubner
Kantonsspital Baden AG
Brustzentrum
Im Ergel 1
5404 Baden
Responsible :
Dr. med. Liliana Castrezana López
Prof. Dr. med. Cornelia Leo
Dr. med. Christine Paul
KSA Kantonsspital Aarau
Genetische Beratung
Tellstrasse 25, Haus, EG
5001 Aarau
Responsible :
Dr. med Cecilia Bracco
Dr. med. Amélie Wieler
Praxis Lerchenfeld AG Wil
Privat Praxis
Friedtalweg 19
9500 Wil
Responsible :
Dr. med. Barbara Hüberli-Zahner
Phone : +41 71 912 20 00
Tumor Zentrum Aarau TZA - Hirslanden Medical Center
Standort Aarau
Rein 34
5000 Aarau
Responsible :
Dr. med. Miriam Grathwohl
Dr. Justyna Aleksandra Polowy
Dr. med. Razvan Popescu
Dr. med. Konstantinos Tyriakidis
Phone : +41 62 836 78 30

Appenzell Outer-Rhodes

Medbase Teufen
Genetische Beratung
Speicherstrasse 8
9053 Teufen
Responsible :
Dr. med. Susan Rassouli

Bern

Brustzentrum Bern Biel
Genetische Beratung
Schänzlistrasse 33
3013 Bern
Responsible :
PD Dr. med. Gabriella Pichert
PD Dr. med. Marco Siano
Dr. med. Lukas von Rohr
Hôpital du Moutier
Conseil génétique
Rue Beausite 49
2740 Moutier
Responsible :
Dr. méd. Dr. phil. Martin Zweifel
Inselspital Bern
Universitätsklinik für Frauenheilkunde - Brustzentrum
Theodor-Kocher-Haus Friedbühlstrasse 19
3010 Bern
Responsible :
Dr. med. Laura Knabben
Inselspital Bern
Universitätsklinik für Medizinische Onkologie
Lory-Haus Freiburgstrasse 41
3010 Bern
Responsible :
Dr. med. Manuela Rabaglio-Poretti
Dr. med. Saskia Schlootz
PD Dr. med. et phil. Julian Wampfler
Lindenhofspital
Praxis im Frauenzentrum
Bremgartenstrasse 119
3012 Bern
Responsible :
Dr. med. Adrian Baumgartner
Seeland Cancer Center
Hans-Hugi-Strasse 3
2502 Biel
Responsible :
PD Dr. med. Marco Siano
Spital Emmental Burgdorf
Gastroenterologie
Oberburgstrasse 54
3400 Burgdorf
Responsible :
Dr. med. Dr. phil. Henrik Horvath
Spital STS AG Thun
Onkologie und Hämatologie
Krankenhausstrasse 12
3600 Thun
Responsible :
Dr. med Yojena Chittazhathu Kurian Kuruvilla
Dr. med. Andreas Hochstrasser
Dr. med. Nurgül Usluoglu
Dr. med. Kathrin Vollmer
SRO AG - Spital Region Oberaargau - Spital Langenthal
Onkologie
St. Urbanstrasse 67
4900 Langenthal
Responsible :
Dr. med. hanna Barmettler
Dr. med. Narcisa Gebbers

Basel

Bürki Praxis
Bürki Praxis
Schützenmattstrasse 39
4051 Basel
Responsible :
PD Dr. Med. Nicole Bürki
Phone : +41 61 271 68 68
Universitätsspital Basel
Gynäkologisches Tumorzentrum
Spitalstrasse 21
4056 Basel
Responsible :
PD Dr. med. Nicole Bürki
Dr. med. Beatrice Drexler
Dr. med. Ruth Stefanie Eller
Dr. med. Andrina Kölle
Dr. med. Nadjia Maggi
Dr. med. Dörte Schaefer-Rohr
Universitätsspital Basel
Institut für Medizinische Genetik
Schönbeinstrasse 40
4031 Basel
Responsible :
Prof. Dr. med., Dr. phil. II Karl Heinimann
Phone : +41 61 265 36 20

Fribourg

Cabinet Privé
MammoGene
Route du Jura 43
1700 Fribourg
Responsible :
Prof. Dr. med. Daniel Schorderet
Phone : +41 76 552 23 85

Geneva

Cabinet Gynécologie de Voreopoulou
Cabinet Gynécologie de Voreopoulou
Rue Emile-Yung 8
1206 Genf
Responsible :
Dr. Thaleia Voreopoulou
Phone : +41 22 789 51 56
Cabinet Médical
MammoGene
Rue de Villereuse 3
1207 Genève
Responsible :
Dr. med. François Taban
Phone : +41 22 700 15 07
Cabinet Médical
MammoGene
Rue de Villereuse 3
1207 Genève
Responsible :
Prof. Dr. med. Daniel Schorderet
Phone : +41 76 552 23 85
Centre Médical de Plainpalais
Conseil génétique
Rue de Carouge 24
1205 Genève
Responsible :
Dr. Valentina Mercanti
Phone : +41 22 339 89 89
Hirslanden Clilique des Grangettes Genève
Hirslanden Precise - Génétique Médicale
7 ch des Grangettes
1224 Chene-Bourg
HUG Hôpitaux Universitaires Genève
Unité d’oncogénétique
Boulevard de la Cluse 30
1205 Genève
Responsible :
Prof. Dr. med. Pierre O. Chappuis
Phone : +41 22 372 98 53
HUG Hôpitaux Universitaires Genève
Unité d’oncogénétique
Boulevard de la cluse 30
1205 Genève
Responsible :
Dr. med. Fulvia Brugnoletti
Phone : +41 22 372 98 53

Glarus

Kantonsspital Glarus
Onkologie
Burgstrasse 99
8750 Glarus
Responsible :
Dr. med. Christina Züger
Zentrum für Integrative Onkologie - ZIO Glarus
Genetische Beratung
Schweizerhofstrasse 1
8750 Glarus
Responsible :
Dr. med Albrecht Kretzschmar

Grisons

Kantonsspital Graubünden
Medizinische Onkologie und Hämatologie
Loëstrasse 170
7000 Chur
Responsible :
Dr. med. Sara Bastian
Dr. med. Angela Fischer
Dr. med. Ursula Hasler-Strub
Dr. med. Michael Schwitter
Prof. Dr. med. Roger von Moos
Phone : +41 81 265 66 46
Spital Oberengadin
Gynäkologie
Via Nouva 3
7503 Samedan
Tumor- und BrustZentrum Ostschweiz
Standort Chur
Masanserstrasse 2
7000 Chur
Responsible :
Prof. Dr. med. Katja Zirlik
Phone : +41 81 257 01 30

Jura

Hôpital du Jura
Oncologie
Faubourg des Capucins 30
2800 Delémont
Responsible :
Dr. med. Christian Monnerat

Lucerne

Luzerner Kantonsspital
Brustzentrum am Seidenhof Luzern
Seidenhofstrasse 9
6003 Luzern
Responsible :
Dr. med. Kathrin Schwedler
gyn-zentrum AG
für Frauengesundheit
Haldenstrasse 11
6006 Luzern
Responsible :
Dr. med. Nadja Ballabio
Dr. med. Silvia Rauch-Wicki
Phone : +41 41 419 03 03
Hirslanden Klinik St. Anna
Burstzentrum
Lützelmattstrasse 3
6006 Luzern
Responsible :
Prof. Dr. med. Peter Dubsky
Hirslanden Klinik St. Anna
Gastroenterologie
St. Anna-Strasse 32
6006 Luzern
Responsible :
Prof. Dr. med. Peter Bauerfeind
Luzerner Kantonsspital
Medinzinische Onkologie
Haus 28, Spitalstrasse
6000 Luzern 16
Responsible :
Prof. Dr. med. Stefan Paul Aebi
Dr. med. Sandra Schmid
Luzerner Kantonsspital
Onkologie und Hämatologie Sursee
Spitalstrasse 16b
6210 Sursee

St.Gallen

hoch Health Ostschweiz - Spital Grabs
Gynäkologie
44 Spitalstrasse
9472 Grabs
Responsible :
Dr.med. Anna Berlinger
hoch Health Ostschweiz - Kantonsspital St. Gallen
Genetische Sprechstunde
Rorschacher Strasse 95 Haus 11
9007 St. Gallen
Responsible :
Dr. med. Silvia Miranda Azzarello-Burri
Dr. Barbara Denecke
hoch Health Ostschweiz - Kantonsspital St. Gallen
Klinik für Medizinische Onkologie und Hämatologie
Rorschacherstrasse 95
9007 St. Gallen
Responsible :
Dr. med. Stefanie Fischer
PD Dr. med. Thomas Hundsberger
Phone : +41 71 494 10 62
hoch Health Ostschweiz - Kantonsspital St. Gallen
Brustzentrum
Rorschacherstrasse 95
9007 St. Gallen
Responsible :
PD Dr. med. Inga Bekes
Dr. med. Susanne Driessen
Dr. med. Pagona Markellou
Dr. med. Christine Strub
Dr. med. Irene Trummer Sander
rundum – Onkologie am Bahnhofpark
Genetische Beratung
Bahnhofpark 2b
7320 Sargans
Responsible :
Dr. med. Stefan Greuter
Phone : +41 81 720 06 20
Email : rundum@hin.ch
hoch Health Ostschweiz - Spital Grabs
Medizinische Onkologie
Spitalstrasse 44
9472 Grabs
Responsible :
Dr. med. Bleisch Barbara
hoch Health Ostschweiz - Spital Linth
Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe
Gasterstrasse 25
8730 Uznach
Responsible :
Dr. med. Stefanie Huggle
Tumor- & Brustzentrum Ostschweiz
Standort St. Gallen
Rorschacher Strasse 296
9016 St. Gallen
Responsible :
Dr. med. Verena Egidy-Pioch
Dr. med. Rahel Hiltebrand
PD Dr. med. et scient. med. Michael Knauer
Dr. med. Markus Niemeyer
Dr. med. Tamara Parissenti
Dr med. Salome Riniker
Prof. Dr. med. Thomas Ruhstaller
Dr. med. Isabella Schönenberger
Dr. med. Patrik Weder
Phone : +41 71 243 02 02
Tumor- und BrustZentrum Ostschweiz
Standort Rapperswil
Alte Jonastrasse 24
8640 Rapperswil
Responsible :
Dr. med. Mareike Buchmann
Dr. med. Matthias Egger
Phone : +41 55 536 13 00

Schaffhausen

Kantonsspital Schaffhausen
Onkologie
Geissbergstrasse 81
8208 Schaffhausen
Responsible :
Dr. med. Cornelia Brüssow
Dr. med. Jasmin Hernandez Cammardella
Kantonsspital Schaffhausen
Brustzentrum
Geissbergstrasse 81
8208 Schaffhausen
Responsible :
Dr. med. Deborah Admaty
Phone : +41 52 634 23 44

Solothurn

Bürgerspital Solothurn - Solothurner Spitäler
Zentrum für Onkologie und Hämatologie
Schöngrünstrasse 38
4500 Solothurn
Kantonsspital Olten - Solothurner Spitäler
Onkologiezentrum
Baslerstrasse 150
4600 Olten
Responsible :
Dr. med. Walter Mingrone
Dr. med. Catrina Uhlmann Nussbaum

Schwyz

Spital Schwyz
Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe
Waldeggstrasse 10
6430 Schwyz
Responsible :
Dr. med. Georgios Gatopoulos

Thurgau

Spital Thurgau AG - Kantonsspital Frauenfeld
Frauenklinik
Pfaffenholzstrasse 4
8501 Frauenfeld
Responsible :
Dr. med. Stephanie Hofmann
Dr. med. Eliane Pauli
Spital Thurgau AG - Kantonsspital Frauenfeld
Medizinische Onkologie
Pfaffenholzstrasse 4
8500 Frauenfeld
Responsible :
Dr. med. Regina Woelky
Spital Thurgau AG - Kantonsspital Münsterlingen
Medizinische Onkologie
Spitalcampus 1
8596 Münsterlingen
Responsible :
Dr. med. Gesa Isensee

Ticino

Ostetricia e diagnostica prenatale
Ostretica, Ginecologia e Medicina della Riproduzione
Vicolo Torre 3
6500 Bellinzona
Responsible :
Dr. Med Cristina Grugnetti
Phone : +41 91 821 04 30
EOC Istituto Oncologico della Svizzera Italiana (IOSI)
High Risk Clinic - Oncogenetics
Via Pietro Capelli 1
6962 Viganello
Responsible :
Dr. med. Rossella Graffeo
Dr. med. Marta Nerone
Phone : +41 91 811 75 60

Vaud

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois CHUV
Service de Médecine Génétique/ Service of Genetic Medecine
Avenue Pierre Decker 5
1011 Lausanne
Responsible :
Dre MSc Antonia Digklia
Dr. med. Camille Kumps
Phone : +41 21 314 32 00
Email : gen@chuv.ch
Genetica AG
Consultation de conseil génétique
Rue du Petit-Chêne 38
Lausanne 1003
Responsible :
Spécialiste FMH Génétique Sheila Unger
Phone : +41 21 321 90 30

Valais

Hôpital du Valais - Sion
Service de génétique
Avenue Grand-Champsec 80
1951 Sion
Responsible :
Dr. med. Véronique Membrez-Antonioli
Dr. Claudine Rieubland

Zug

Brust Zentrum Hirslanden Kliniken Aarau Cham Zug
Standort Cham Zug
Rigistrasse 1
6330 Cham
Responsible :
Dr. med. Meinrad Mannhart
Hirslanden AndreasKlinik
Zentrum für Onkologie und Hämatologie
Rigistrasse 1
6330 Cham
Responsible :
PD Dr. med. Nerbil Kilic
Dr. med. Meinrad Mannhart
Zuger Kantonsspital AG
Frauenklinik
Landhausstrasse 11
6340 Baar
Responsible :
Dr. med. Carolina Camponovo
Dr. med. Yvonne Rüegg

Zurich

Brustzentrum Zürich
Genetische Beratung
Seefeldstrasse 214
8008 Zürich
Responsible :
Dr. Sofia Küster
Dr. med. Katharina Leunig
Dr. med. Christina-Maria Ziegler
Phone : +41 44 533 81 00
Genetica AG
Medizinisch Genetische Beratung
Weinbergstrasse 9
8008 Zürich
Responsible :
Dr. med. Benno Röthlisberger
Phone : +41 44 250 50 30
Gynäkologie Goldbach
Privat Praxis
Goldbacherstrasse 5b
8700 Küsnacht
Responsible :
Dr. med Gabi Landmann
Phone : +41 44 400 90 00
GZO Spital Wetzikon
Frauenklinik
Spitalstrasse 66
8620 Wetzikon
Responsible :
Denise Beck
Dr. med. Barbara Fleischer
Dr. med. Alexandra Kochanowski
Hirslanden Klinik
Praxis für Personalisierte Medizin
Witellikerstrasse 40
8032 Zürich
Responsible :
Prof. Dr. med. Thomas Szucs
Hirslanden Klinik Im Park Zürich
Brustzentrum Zürichsee
Seestrasse 220
8027 Zürich
Responsible :
Dr. med. Ziad Atassi
Phone : +41 44 209 22 22
Kantonsspital Winterthur
Medizinische Onkologie und Hämatologie
Brauerstrasse 15, Postfach 834
8401 Winterthur
Responsible :
Dr. med. Michelle Caroline Basler
Dr. med. Daniela Hagen
Dr. med. Andreas Müller
Dr. med. Christoph Schregel
Dr. med. Hongjian Tang
Dr. med. Denise Vorburger
Dr. med. Ursina Zürrer
Hirslanden Klinik
Kompetenzzentrum für Hämatologie & Onkologie
Witellikerstrasse 40
8032 Zürich
Responsible :
Dr. med. Anita Hirschi-Blickenstorfer
PD Dr. Gabriella Pichert
PD Dr. med. Alexander Siebenhüner
Phone : +41 44 387 37 80
Website : www.kho.ch
Email : info@kho.ch
Hirslanden Precise - Genetische Medizin
Genetische Beratungen und Analysen
Forchstrasse 452
8702 Zollikon
Responsible :
Dr. med. Julia Katharina Bickmann
Medipark AG
Standort Oerlikon
Thurgauerstrasse 40
8040 Zürich
Responsible :
PD Dr. med Nerbil Kilic
Phone : +41 44 204 94 00
MediX Praxis Dübendorf
Gynäkologie
Bahnhofstrasse 36
8600 Zürich
Responsible :
Dr. med. Sara Plavic-Radeka
OnkoZentrum Zürich
Seefeldstrasse 214
8008 Zürich
Responsible :
PD Dr. med. Aurelius Omlin
Dr. med. Christian Weisshaupt
GynPraxis Thalwil
Genetische Beratung
Alte Landstrasse 160
8800 Thalwil
Responsible :
Dr. med. Julia Talimi-Schnabel
Phone : +41 44 722 22 23
Frauenarztpraxis Atassi Horgen
Genetische Beratung
Seestrasse 147
8810 Horgen
Responsible :
Dr. med. Ziad Atassi
Phone : +41 44 725 83 83
Spital Limmattal
Brustzentrum
Urdorferstrasse 100
8952 Schlieren
Responsible :
Dr. med. Lilian Bringolf-Avsar
Dr. med. Teresa Gamper-Drobnitsch
PD Dr. med. Dirk Kienle
Dr. med. Kathrin Kimmig
Spital Männerdorf
Onkologie Zentrum
Asylstrasse 10
8708 Männedorf
Responsible :
Dr. med. Katharina Huss-Mischler
Dr. med. Heike Pietge
Stadtspital Zürich Triemli
Birmensdorferstrasse 497
8063 Zürich
Stadtspital Zürich Tiremli
Genetische Beratung
Birmensdorferstrasse 497
8063 Zürich
Swiss Breast Care | c/o Klinik Bethanien
Zentrum für Brustgesundheit
Toblerstrasse 5
8044 Zürich
Responsible :
Dr. med. Eliane Sarasin Ricklin
Phone : +41 43 268 29 99
TUCARE
Onkologie
Nordstrasse 13
8180 Bülach
Responsible :
Susanna Crivelli-Ochsner
Dr. med. Mark Haefner
Phone : +41 44 862 73 00
Website : www.tucare.ch
UZH Universität Zürich
Institut für medizinische Genetik
Wagistrasse 12
8952 Schlieren
Responsible :
Dr. med. Svenja Bihr
Prof. Dr. med. Bernhard-C. Pestalozzi
Phone : +41 44 556 33 02
Email : medgen@hin.ch
USZ Universitätsspital Zürich
Klinik für Gynäkologie - Brustzentrum
Frauenklinikstrasse 10
8091 Zürich
USZ Universitätsspital Zürich
Klinik für Urologie
Frauenklinikstrasse 10
8091 Zürich
Responsible :
Prof. Dr.med.Dr.rer.nat Daniel Eberli
Phone : +41 44 255 54 40