Once an index case of Fabry disease is diagnosed, presymptomatic family members can be potentially diagnosed at a younger age, allowing for earlier disease management. Family screening and pedigree analysis can be especially helpful for identifying women at risk for Fabry disease.
A Family Tree is one tool that may help patients consider who in their family may be affected.
Family screening can help find patients earlier in their disease course.
A Sanofi Genzyme Patient Education Liaison can help patients create their Medical Family Tree. The liaison can also help patients better understand the testing, genetic counseling, and disease management options available for them and their families.
Fabry disease is inherited. Consequently it is common for people who have been diagnosed to have family members who are also affected by the disease. Finding other affected members in a patient's family is important because the long-term consequences for them can be serious. The sooner family members at risk for Fabry disease are identified, the sooner they can explore disease management options.
Patients may feel hesitant to reach out to family members to talk about Fabry disease. There are multiple reasons why individuals may struggle to talk about Fabry with their family members, such as:
For Your Patients:
