If you family has a history of being diagnosed with a certain type of cancer, you may want to consider genetic counseling, according to doctors from Cleveland Clinic.

Genetic counseling is when someone meets with medical professionals to talk about their family’s history with certain diseases. The counselor will then determine if testing is required.

Doctors said that knowing you are at risk can be extremely important when it comes to both prevention and treatment.

“Genetic counseling sort of empowers the patient and the family, so not only will they understand the genetic disorder that they came for, they will understand genetics in general,” said Dr. Charis Ang of the Cleveland Clinic.

People interested in this type of service should schedule an appointment with a genetic counselor – not a primary care physician. That way, doctors said they will know they are getting the expertise to make informed decisions.