Genetic Family Risk Assessment

Knowing your personal and family health history can provide helpful clues when assessing your risk for disease. The Genetic Family Risk Assessment is a counselling session that provides you with:

• A review of risks for genetic disease faced by you and your family members
• A risk assessment for rare and common diseases that may be showing a higher than average prevalence in your family
• An understanding of how lifestyle and environment can interact with genetic factors to influence your health and health risks
• A personalized plan for genetic testing to further identify health risks, if appropriate

Personal Genome Testing

Medcan Personal Genome Testing provides you with information about your genetic predisposition to common health conditions so that you can begin to take preventive steps.

Personal Genomic Testing offers you:

• Analysis of your DNA to determine your susceptibility for more than 25 common health conditions
• In-person consultation with a genetic counsellor before and after testing
• Recommendations for lifestyle changes and screening to decrease your disease risk

View Fact Sheet – Personal Genome Testing

Your interest in genetic testing may stem from specific concerns in your family history, a personal health issue, or a need to fine-tune your nutrition and fitness regimen.

Hereditary Cancer Panel Testing

Some families have a higher-than-expected prevalence of cancer or cases of early-onset cancers, suggesting a strong genetic cause. This type of genetic cause is hereditary, and can be particularly common for breast, ovarian and colon cancers. If there is a history of cancer in your family, Medcan can provide you with a more specialized or targeted genetic test that evaluates multiple cancer genes at once. The most well-known of these genes are BRCA1 and BRCA2, both of which can significantly increase the risk to develop breast, ovarian and other related cancers.

Medcan Hereditary Cancer Panel Testing includes:

• An analysis of family history to determine cancer risk and selection of genes to be tested
• A genetic test panel that is customized based on your family and/or personal history of cancer
• Review and interpretation of your test results by a genetic counsellor and medical geneticist
• Recommendations and referrals for further screening in the event of a positive gene test, including genetic testing for at-risk relatives

View Fact Sheet – Hereditary Cancer Panel Testing

Pharmacogenomics

Insights from genetic testing can reduce trial-and-error prescribing by predicting which medications and dosages may be most effective for you and are least likely to produce adverse side-effects.

Pharmacogenomics Testing includes:

• A consultation with a genetic counsellor, including review of personal and family medication history
• Predicted responses to more than 200 medications
• Recommendations for optimizing medication treatment and avoiding adverse drug reactions

View Fact Sheet – Pharmacogenomics

Nutrition and Fitness Genomic Testing

If you are performance-oriented, Medcan Nutrition and Fitness Genomic Testing can help you enhance your nutrition and fitness regimen with a new level of personalization.

We test over 75 genetic markers related to metabolism, diet, nutrition and exercise. You’ll gain insights on how your body is likely to respond to exercise, if your DNA puts you at risk of vitamin deficiencies, and which metabolic health factors may affect you most.

With this service, you will receive:

• A personalized report with detailed results
• A discussion/consultation with a Medcan registered dietitian, who will provide you with recommendations based on your results

View Fact Sheet – Nutrition and Fitness Genomic Testing

Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)

Medcan offers pregnant women the verifi™ prenatal test by Illumina, a non-invasive blood test that can accurately detect chromosome problems in pregnancy, as early as 10-weeks gestation.

For your peace of mind, the NIPT provides you with a number of benefits:

• Safety. This test requires a single non-invasive blood test, with no risk to the pregnancy and may reduce need for amniocentesis.
• Comprehensive. In addition to Down Syndrome, you’ll receive information about risks for Trisomy 18, Trisomy 13 and fetal sex chromosome abnormalities, as well as the option to learn about certain microdeletion syndromes. Both singleton and twin pregnancies can be tested.
• Fast results. We deliver test results within about five business days.
• Full genetic counseling. In advance of testing, a genetic counsellor will explain the test risks, benefits and limitations in detail, and answer all of your questions. They will also review your test results and discuss options for follow-up support, if needed.

View Fact Sheet – Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing

Pre-Pregnancy Genetic Testing

Pre-Pregnancy Genetic Testing determines if you and/or your partner is a carrier for a broad range of rare genetic diseases, which could lead to a future child being affected. Most diseases are recessive conditions, where a child would only be at risk if both parents are carriers.

Our testing is combined with genetic counseling and includes:

• A family health history review for you and your partner prior to testing.
• A report summarizing your child’s risk of inheriting more than 200 diseases, including cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy, sickle cell disease and Tay-Sachs disease.
• Recommendations for additional genetic tests when appropriate.
• Information so you can consider your options for pregnancy planning and ongoing support
• Referrals to specialists, if needed.

View Fact Sheet – Pre-Pregnancy Genetic Testing