Cancer Screening - Genetic Screening

There has been a big increase in knowledge about genes and cancer in the last 10 years. We know that genetics will play an important role in screening for cancer in some families. Currently, there are 3 main cancers that genetic counseling may be useful for: breast, ovarian and colorectal (genetic counseling may also be available for certain other types of cancer, discuss your family history with your doctor).

Having genetic counseling may help to identify people who are at increased risk for a certain type of cancer, and also allow for specific screening of those people or their family members. Some families that appear to have a hereditary type of cancer may be offered genetic testing.

In Waterloo Region, genetic counseling is available through the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre for people who have a family history of cancer, especially if it includes:

several family members on one side of the family with the same type of cancer (breast/ovarian or colon/uterine), especially when the cancer occurred before age 50
breast or ovarian cancer in Jewish families
a family member who has had cancer more than once
a family member who has had breast or colon cancer before age 35, even if there is no other cancer in the family
rare cancers like breast cancer in men
a family member who carries a cancer gene mutation.

You need a doctor referral for this service. If you want more information about genetic counseling, talk to your doctor. If you do not have a family doctor, you can contact the genetics clinic directly at (519) 749-4300 x5988. For information on how to build your own family medical history tree:

Related Resources

Canadian Cancer Society - Genetic Risk/Genetic Factors

Cancer Care Ontario - Cancer Genetics Testing and Counselling