It is estimated that 1 in 200 Canadians carries a mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes which are associated to breast and ovarian cancer. Women that have been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer have a higher probability of carrying a detrimental genetic variant.
GREAT is a public initiative that will help bring genetic testing to women over the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and would like to have their case better understood with genetic testing.
GREAT is a pilot project provided by hospitals associated to the Rossy Cancer Network. It’s expected to run until the year 2022.
Our mandate is to provide a service that is:
EASY
Genetic assessment done in a rapid and easily accessible setting for breast cancer.
RAPID
Rapid genetic testing
and collaboration
among health professionals.
ACCESSIBLE
Genetic results
available in time for
treatment decision making.
FREE
A completely free
clinical service offered
in 3 Montreal hospitals.
Eligibility Criteria:
You are a woman over the age of 18.
You have been diagnosed with a variation of invasive breast cancer for the first time.
Your diagnosis was done at the McGill University Health Center, at the Jewish General Hospital or at St. Mary’s Hospital in the last 6 months.
Should You Consider Genetic Testing?
Genetic testing is advantageous in a variety of cases. It allows patients, families, and medical practitioners to make better decisions.
Generate awareness and adopt cancer prevention strategies for family members at risk.
Allow physicians to monitor you appropriately during and after treatment.
Help you better understand the risks associated to individual treatments.
Aid researchers all over the world develop better treatments by participating in a population biobank.
Help medical practitioners better understand your case. A negative result can eliminate the need for unnecessary checkups and screening tests in some cases.
What should you expect?
1. Referral from your MD
Your doctor assesses your general profile and offers to refer you to the genetics clinic at the JGH or the MUHC.
2. Contact by Genetic Counsellor
You will receive a call from our clinic to prepare your consultation.
24 – 48 hours after referral
3. Consultation with Genetic Counsellor
You will be counseled on breast cancer genetics. Your specific situation will be addressed and your written consent will be sought to obtain a blood sample for testing.
Within 1 – 10 business days
Consultation Preparation (Click Here)
Your consent will also be sought for research to participate in our Cancer Predisposition Genetics Biobank
4. Genetic Testing
Your DNA sample will be tested for the genes BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2. These genes are associated with hereditary breast cancer.
Results ready within 2 – 5 weeks after blood samples are taken.
5. Treatment Decision Making
Results will be communicated to you by letter (if negative) or by phone (if positive) and to your referring MD. Decision making on treatment will be done with your MD. A consultation in person will be offered to patients with a positive result to review the implications in detail.
Team
GREAT is a public initiative carried by a small team of Montreal genetics experts.
Dr. William Foulkes MBBS, PhD
Director
Cancer Genetics Program
McGill University
Dr. George Chong, PhD
Co-Director
Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory
Jewish General Hospital – McGill University Health Center
Zoulikha Rezoug MSc GC
Genetic Counselor & Clinical Research Coordinator
Dept. of Medical Genetics
Jewish General Hospital – McGill University Health Centre
Contact
Your questions and feedback help us improve. Please use the form below, we will reply at our earliest convenience.
Phone
+1 (514) 782-8222 #28489
Address
Jewish General Hospital
Cancer Prevention Center
E-740 – 3755 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine
Montréal, QC H3T 1E2
McGill University Health Center
Breast Center
C06.3155.1 – 1001 Decarie Blvd
Montreal, QC H4A 3J1
Useful Links
Participating Hospitals
This initiative is being supported by:
Personalized breast cancer screening: Your opinion matters!
Advances in genomics now make it possible to develop a screening plan for breast cancer tailored to each woman’s risk level. Help us know how this personalized approach could fit into clinical practice. We invite you to answer this short questionnaire, which will take between 12 and 15 minutes.
Thanks to follow this link:
https://redcap.link/healthcareprofessionalssurvey
