Alzbeta Mühlbäck was born in the Slovak Republic, former Czechoslovakia. After obtaining her doctoral degree she started working as a doctor: first in Vienna, then in Bavaria near Munich – which is where she works now. The hospital where Alzbeta works sees around 400 Huntington’s disease cases each year.

This year will be the Doctors’ first visit to Bulgaria. She hopes that she gets the opportunity to experience some of Sofia’s landmarks: the cathedral, the Banja Baschi Mosque or the central market hall.

And if she only had enough time: do a trip to the famous Unesco world heritage Rila Monastary.

Genetic testing and its implications

Dr. Alzbeta Mühlbäck

But Alzbeta Mühlbäck will be a busy woman during her stay. This September the doctor will participate at the EHA Conference in Sofia. Here she will lead two workshops with the themes genetic testing and mental health.

When I ask her how she ended up at the EHA Conference she tells me about the importance of genetic testing and its implications.

– To critically discuss this topic I got invited to the conference. In my approach at the conference, I will focus on the perspective of persons at risk and families with HD.

Dr. Mühlbäck further emphasizes how the same high standard for genetic testing and consulting should apply across countries.

– This forms a very sensitive topic, as the needs and objectives of every person undergoing this procedure need to be considered on an individual basis, hence the person can freely decide, if it is good to know the own genetic status, or not.

Stronger Together

I further ask her why she thinks a conference like the one is Sofia is important:

– This conference is enormously important, since the whole HD community is coming together, science, physicians, health care professionals meet with HD families, caregivers and many others involved in HD. As the President of EHA, Ms. Astri Arnesen, repeatedly said, we are all Huntingtonians and we become and are stronger together!

The doctor looks forward to meet friends, colleagues and the whole HD community – a group she refers to as “one big family”.

– It forms an opportunity for me to learn more from all participants and to learn from each other.

No right or wrong

She has a goal: that everyone who wants to get tested – or consider testing – feels that all questions have been answered and that the individual needs and situation have been considered.

– There is no right or wrong decisions about genetic testing.

 

Written by Maiken Arnesen

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