Proactive Genetic Screening - Cancer

If you have had a personal diagnosis of cancer, a more targeted genetic test may be applicable for you.

Proactive Genetic Screening gives results that are medically actionable. Using a blood or saliva sample, this testing provides you with an understanding of your risks for hereditary cancers. Identifying these risks allows your healthcare team to take proactive next steps to best manage your health – all with the guidance of a certified genetic counsellor.

Proactive Genetic Screening – Cardiac

Proactive Genetic Screening gives results that are medically actionable. Using a blood or saliva sample, this testing provides you with an understanding of your risks for hereditary heart disease. Identifying these risks allows your healthcare team to take proactive next steps to best manage your health – all with the guidance of a certified genetic counsellor. 

Late-onset Alzheimer’s Genetic Testing

Late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (diagnosed after age 60) is multifactorial, meaning it is caused by a combination of co-existing factors including age, genetic markers, environmental modifiers, the presence of other health conditions, and lifestyle choices. Testing for a gene called APOE can determine whether you have an increased risk for this condition.

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. 

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.

Pre-Pregnancy Genetic Testing

Pre-Pregnancy Genetic Testing gives information on you and/or your partner’s carrier status for a broad range of rare genetic diseases, which could impact the health of your children. Most genetic diseases are recessive conditions, where a child would only be at risk if both parents are carriers.

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.