At this time, the government cannot fund Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) for all pregnant women due to the cost. Screening for Down syndrome in pregnancy through tests such as maternal serum screening with or without ultrasound is available to all pregnant women, and additional testing may be offered to those ​​identified to be at an increased risk, based on provincial guidelines. You can speak to your health care provider to determine if you are eligible.

Yes. A mutation in a hereditary breast cancer gene can be inherited from either a person’s mother or father. It is a myth that risk for breast cancer cannot be passed down from the father’s side of the family.

This means it is important to review the family history of breast cancer on both sides of the family during a hereditary breast cancer risk assessment. 

Men can develop breast cancer, however, the risk for a man with a mutation in a hereditary breast cancer gene to develop breast cancer is significantly lower than a woman with a mutation in the same gene. 

Hereditary cancer is caused by a change in a gene (called a mutation or variant) which is passed down from generation to generation in a family. Family members who inherit the hereditary cancer gene mutation face a higher lifetime risk for certain types of cancer, depending on the gene involved. Families with a hereditary cancer condition (or syndrome) may have a clustering of certain types of cancer in closely related family members, and there may be relatives with more than one cancer during their lifetime.  In these families people often develop cancer at a younger age than usual. 

It is important to note, most cancer is not hereditary, but happens by chance and is influenced by age, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.

Your doctor will offer screening for various conditions during your pregnancy. This screening will include a combination of a blood test, mother’s age at delivery and possibly an ultrasound. All of this information helps evaluate the chance that the pregnancy may have Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21). A positive (or high risk) result means your pregnancy is at an increased risk for Trisomy 21. This does not mean that the baby definitely has Trisomy 21. However, your positive screen means that there is a higher chance that this may happen and therefore you are eligible for some additional testing if you wish to clarify if this is the case or not. Talk to your family doctor, obstetrician, or midwife about next steps, such as follow-up testing or a referral to a genetic counsellor.

Genetic counselling is a healthcare service that provides information to individuals and their families about how genetics can impact health. It also involves supporting families as they adapt to new genetic information.

Genetic counselling may help individuals:

• Understand their chances of having a genetic condition
• Understand the chance of having a biological child with a genetic condition
• Understand the features of a genetic condition and how it is passed down (or inherited) in a family
• Make informed decisions regarding family planning, genetic testing, and future health care, based on genetic test results

Usually, genetic counselling is provided by a Genetic Counsellor. Sometimes doctors, nurses, or other health care providers also provide genetic counselling. 

Genetic counsellors often work in a hospital-based genetics clinic. They also work in laboratories, industry, education, and public health settings. 

A formal definition of genetic counselling can be found in this peer reviewed journal article. 

No, not everyone with a hereditary cancer condition will develop cancer in their lifetime. For example, in a family that has “hereditary breast cancer”, there will likely be family members who live a long lifetime, and never develop any type of cancer.

People who have a mutation in a hereditary cancer gene have an increased risk to develop one or more types of cancer compared to other people who find out that they don’t have that mutation.   

The likelihood of being diagnosed with cancer depends on several factors, including,  the gene involved, the person’s biological sex, environmental factors, and whether the person has undergone risk-reducing management (example: a mastectomy or removal of the breast tissue to reduce risk for breast cancer).  

People who receive a positive genetic test result often have genetic counselling, so they can better understand their cancer risks and future cancer screening and medical management options.