OVERVIEW
Our laboratory provides genetic testing for patients known or suspected to be at risk of a cancer predisposition syndrome. We offer both a large multi-gene next-generation sequencing panel and targeted single-gene or single variant testing in a variety of genes associated with hereditary cancer.
INDEX TESTING
Index testing is available if a patient’s personal and/or family history is consistent with an inherited cancer predisposition syndrome, such as individuals markedly younger than average age at diagnosis, individuals with multiple and syndromically related primary tumours, multiple family members with the same or related cancers, or patients with rare tumour types.
CARRIER TESTING
Affected and unaffected patients may be eligible for carrier testing (testing for the presence or absence of a single mutation) if a mutation in a gene associated with an inherited cancer predisposition syndrome has been identified in a close relative.
OTHER TESTING SCENARIOS
Testing is also available in certain other situations, including:
- germline confirmation of variants identified in the course of tumour sequencing tests (e.g. Oncopanel or Myeloid Panel)
- confirmation of results from research studies
- testing of tissue or fibroblast cultures for patients who have had a bone marrow transplant or who are affected with known or suspected hematologic disease
TEST AVAILABILITY
- MAINSTREAMED HEREDITARY CANCER TESTING
For patients who meet specific criteria, health care providers can order multi-gene hereditary cancer testing and disclose the results. See the Mainstreamed Hereditary Cancer Testing information page to learn more about this testing option. - PEDIATRIC CANCER PREDISPOSITION TESTING
Pediatric patients on active anti-cancer therapy, diagnosed since January 1, 2026, or who has been referred to the Medical Genetics Clinic with the suspicion of having a genetic risk of cancer qualify for testing. Contact pedsgeneticcancer@cw.bc.ca to learn more about this testing option. - ) HEREDITARY CANCER PROGRAM REFERRAL
The BC Cancer Hereditary Cancer Program (HCP) provides genetic counselling and facilitates carrier testing and all other genetic testing for any BC/Yukon resident who is suspected of an inherited predisposition to cancer. The HCP referral form can be found on the HCP Referrals page. If clinically indicated, an Urgent DNA Storage requisition is also available.
Test requests from other Medical Genetics centres in Canada are accepted under some circumstances. Please contact the laboratory to discuss testing options.