Genetic Counselling

Not all cancers are hereditary. In fact:

• Only about 5–10% of cancers are hereditary
• Most cancers (90–95%) happen for other reasons, such as:
  • Age: Risk increases as we get older
  • Lifestyle: Habits like diet, smoking, drinking alcohol, too much sun, lack of exercise, or obesity can increase risk
  • Environment: Exposure to harmful substances around us, sometimes unknown
  • Chance: Some cancers happen for unknown reasons or by chance

For more information, watch this video:

• Cancer at a young age (for example, under 50 years old)
• Rare types of cancer (like breast cancer in a man, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, or sarcoma)
• More than one type of cancer in the same person
• Several family members with related cancers (for example: breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancer; colon and uterine cancer; melanoma and pancreatic cancer; breast and stomach cancer)
• A known cancer gene change found in a family member

1. Fill out the Family History Questionnaire.
2. Give the completed form to your doctor.
3. Your doctor will review it and decide if they can send a referral to our clinic.

Please note:

• We cannot accept every referral.
• If your referral is not accepted, we will let your doctor know.

• Fill it out as best as you can. If you do not know something, it is okay to write “unknown.”
• It is fine to give approximate ages or years of birth/death.
• Include information about all the relatives asked for, whether or not they have had cancer.

If you are a referring physician, visit our refer a patient page to obtain a referral form.

During your first or follow-up appointment(s), the genetic counsellor will:

• Talk about your personal and family history of cancer
• Explain your risk of hereditary cancer
• Give guidance on cancer screening
• Determine if you or a family member are eligible for genetic testing
• Discuss the benefits, risks, and limits of genetic testing
• Explain your test results if testing is done
• Arrange a referral to a medical geneticist or another specialist if necessary

Genetic testing is a blood test that looks for changes in genes that can increase the risk of some cancers.

Not everyone is eligible for genetic testing. In Ontario, there are specific rules to decide who is eligible.

For more information, watch this video:

A geneticist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing, treating and managing medical conditions that run in families.

• The genetic counsellor will refer you to a geneticist if appropriate.
• The appointment will usually be a virtual meeting on your phone, tablet, or computer.
• During the appointment, you will talk about your medical and family history, as well as your genetic test result.  The geneticist will provide further guidance on managing cancer risks and can answer more specific medical questions.