YOUR GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING GENETIC TESTING FOR HEREDITARY BREAST CANCER
Providing Canadians with reliable, accessible information on hereditary breast cancer
genetic testing, including the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
genetic testing, including the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
Understanding your genetic health can be a powerful step towards managing your cancer risk. Here, we focus on hereditary breast cancer testing in genes that can significantly increase the risk of breast cancer, as well as other related cancers like ovary, prostate and pancreas. Hereditary breast cancer genetic testing often looks at multiple cancer risk genes at the same time, including BRCA1 and BRCA2. This is called a hereditary cancer panel test. Such testing (blood or saliva) can open doors to proactive health management, early detection and personalized treatment options for cancer.
The Canadian Association for Genetic Counsellors (CAGC) has assisted in the compilation and review of these credible, reliable resources in one central location to provide you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your health and genetic journey.
This page is your trusted, Canadian-focused resource for navigating the complexities of genetic testing for hereditary breast cancer risk, particularly as they relate to breast cancer and pathogenic variants (mutations) in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
HOW DOES GENETICS IMPACT BREAST CANCER RISK?
Explore the role genetics can play in breast cancer risk and other hereditary cancers
- Canadian Breast Cancer Network: Hereditary Breast Cancer Syndrome: A Guide For Patients & Their Families (EN,FR)
- MyHealth Alberta: Hereditary Cancer and Genetic Testing (EN)
- Ontario Molecular Pathology Research Network: Hereditary vs. Familial vs. Sporadic Cancer (EN)
- Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation: Educational Videos: Genetics Basics (EN,FR)
- Facing Our Risk Of Cancer Empowered (U.S. Website): Is Cancer Genetic? (EN)
- Facing Our Risk Of Cancer Empowered (U.S. Website): Types of Hereditary Cancers (EN)
- Canadian Breast Cancer Network: High-Risk Conditions: Hereditary Breast Cancer (EN,FR)
- Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation: Genetics and Breast Cancer (EN,FR)
WHAT IS HEREDITARY CANCER PANEL TESTING?
Learn what hereditary cancer panel testing involves, including how genetic tests can identify inherited risks for breast and other cancers.
- Canadian Cancer Society: What is Genetic Testing? (EN,FR)
- Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors: Genetic Testing: Your Questions Answered (EN)
- Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors: Hereditary Cancer Genetic Testing – Mainstreaming (EN)
- Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation: Educational Videos: Genetic Testing and Results (EN,FR)
- Ontario Molecular Pathology Research Network: Understanding Genetic Testing in Cancer Care (EN)
- Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors: How Genetic Counsellors Support People (EN,FR)
- Genetics Education Canada: Knowledge Organization: Canada’s Genetic Non-Discrimination Act (GNDA) (EN)
wHAT ARE BRCA PATHOGENIC VARIANTS (GENE MUTAITONS)
Learn about BRCA pathogenic variants, understand possible inherited changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and how they can increase cancer risk, and identify what it means to be a BRCA gene pathogenic variant carrier.
- BRCA in BC: BRCA Basics: What Everyone Should Know (EN)
- Women’s College Hospital: A Guide to BRCA1 and BRCA2 Gene Mutations in Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (EN)
- Canadian Breast Cancer Network: History of the BRCA1 & 2 Genes (EN,FR)
- Canadian Cancer Society: BRCA Gene Mutations (EN,FR)
- Women’s College Hospital Reproductive Factors and Cancer (EN)
- Women’s College Hospital: Breast Cancer Genes Other Than BRCA1 & BRCA2 and Variants of Uncertain Significance (EN,FR)
- Facing Our Risk Of Cancer Empowered (U.S. Website): Signs of an inherited mutation (EN)
WHO SHOULD CONSIDER GENETIC TESTING FOR HEREDITARY BREAST CANCER RISK?
Explore considerations surrounding genetic testing, including what is involved in finding out your BRCA status, how to assess your personal risk for hereditary cancer, and understand the process of genetic testing.
- BRCA in BC: Assess Your Risk (EN)
- Facing Our Risk Of Cancer Empowered (U.S. Website): Breast Cancer Genetic Testing (EN)
- Susan G. Komen: Genetic Testing to Learn About Breast Cancer Risk (EN)
- MyHealth Alberta: Genetic Testing for Hereditary Cancer: Deciding Who to Test (Video) (EN)
- Ontario Health: My CancerIQ (EN,FR)
- Current Oncology: Canadian Recommendations for Germline Genetic Testing of Patients with Breast Cancer: A Call to Action (EN,FR)
Across Canada, guidelines and access to genetic testing varies across provinces and territories. Recognizing this, a Canadian expert working group, made up of physicians, genetic counsellors and patient group representatives in the breast cancer community, convened to review international guidelines for germline genetic testing in breast cancer and develop Canadian recommendations. The recommendations outline suggested criteria for testing based on personal and family history of cancer. However, these recommendations are not yet implemented across Canada. It is important to discuss your unique medical history with your healthcare provider to assess your risk and determine if testing is appropriate for you.
If you’re a patient with hereditary cancer risk, download this helpful reference sheet for suggested questions you can discuss with your healthcare provider.. Please note, your provider may refer you to a specialist like a certified genetic counsellor, for detailed answers.
**To find a genetic counsellor or clinic near you, visit the CAGC clinic directory.
HOW DOES HAVING A BRCA PATHOGENIC VARIANT IMPACTMY CANCER RISK OF TREATMENT JOURNEY
Learn how a BRCA pathogenic variant status can influence your treatment options and overall care plan. Discover how knowing your BRCA status can lead to more personalized treatment strategies.
- Facing Our Risk Of Cancer Empowered (U.S. Website): BRCA1: Options for Cancer Treatment (EN)
- Facing Our Risk Of Cancer Empowered (U.S. Website): BRCA2: Options for Cancer Treatment (EN)
- Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation: Genetics in 1 click – Testimonials (EN,FR)
- BC Cancer (YouTube): Hereditary Cancer – Patient Information Video (EN)
- Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation: Risk Management Guidelines (EN,FR)
- Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation: Educational Videos: Management Options - Screening and Surgeries (EN,FR) *NEW*
- Women’s College Hospital: Managing Cancer Risk After Age 50 (EN,FR)
WHAT DO FAMILY MEMBERS NEED TO KNOW?
Gain information and guidance on how to discuss your hereditary cancer status with your family members, including the implications for their health and how to support them in considering their own cancer risks.
- Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation: Educational Videos: Talking About Your Result With Your Child and Family (EN,FR)
- Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation: Educational Videos: Discussing Your Results With Your Family Members (EN)
- Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation: Educational Videos: Discussing Your Genetic Result With Your Family - Testimonials (EN)
- Women’s College Hospital: A Guide To Talking About BRCA Mutations (EN)
- Women’s College Hospital: Understanding how Genetic Test Results Impact Your Relatives (EN)
If you’re a family member of someone with a hereditary cancer risk, download this helpful reference sheet to guide discussions with your healthcare provider. Please note, your provider may refer you to a specialist like a certified genetic counsellor, for detailed answers.
**To find a genetic counsellor or clinic near you, visit the CAGC clinic directory.
ABOUT THIS RESOURCE
This resource was compiled by the Canadian Association for Genetic Counsellors (CAGC) in partnership with the members of a pan-Canadian expert working group, made up of physicians (oncology, genetics, family medicine), genetic counsellors and patient group representatives in the breast cancer community.
This initiative was undertaken with the goal of advancing best practices in the treatment of BRCA-driven breast cancer and to help to ensure people across Canada have timely access to hereditary cancer genetic panel testing, including the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
To learn more about the CAGC, visit their website at https://genetic-counsellors.ca/
AS YOU EXPLORE
The materials and information presented by the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors (“CAGC”) on this platform are for general informational purposes only. The information provided is not advice and is not intended to create a client relationship. It is not a substitute for advice from a medical practitioner and any party with personal medical questions or in need of medical assistance should seek advice from a qualified professional. The field of genetics continues to evolve, which means, despite reasonable efforts to maintain the information provided on this platform, CAGC cannot guarantee the same is current or correct. CAGC expressly disclaims all liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on information which it provides or omits on this platform.
This resource was published on [MONTH DAY, YEAR] and recently updated on X, and is provided for informational and educational purposes only.