Bryony A. Thompson is a Genetic Counselor based in Melbourne, working from the University Of Melbourne, Building 181, Grattan St, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
Her work helps families when there’s a strong chance a condition runs in the family. That can include hereditary cancer syndromes, like Lynch syndrome and familial colorectal cancer, as well as familial adenomatous polyposis. She also supports people thinking about risks for breast, ovarian, endometrial, and pancreatic cancers when family history suggests it might be inherited.
Genetic counselling isn’t just about what someone has today. It’s also about what might come later, and what choices families have to make. In many cases, Bryony helps people understand genetic test results in plain language, and talks through what those results could mean for relatives too.
She also looks after families dealing with other inherited conditions, including some heart conditions like dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and familial ventricular tachycardia. At times, her sessions also cover inherited neurological conditions such as ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), primary lateral sclerosis, spinocerebellar ataxia type 28, and families navigating dementia where genetics may play a part.
Other issues she may discuss include hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) and telangiectasia, plus premature ovarian failure and some forms of familial ovarian risk. These topics can feel heavy. The conversations are usually calm and practical, with time to ask questions and work through worries step by step.
Bryony’s experience comes from supporting people and families through the decision-making that comes with genetic information. This includes preparing for testing, interpreting results, and helping people think about next steps for themselves and their families. She also has training in genetic counselling, which helps her guide people without using scary jargon.
When it’s relevant, she stays up to date with changes in how genetic risk is assessed and managed. If there are clinical research options that fit a person’s situation, she can explain what those might involve in general terms, and point people in the right direction to get more info.
If you’re dealing with a family history that feels confusing or uncertain, Bryony’s role is to bring some clarity. You’ll usually leave with a better understanding of the situation, and a plan that feels more manageable.