Hereditary Cancer Clinic

The Hereditary Cancer Clinic is part of the Regional Genetics Program and is located at CHEO. We specialize in the assessment of children, adults, and families with familial or hereditary forms of cancer predisposition. We offer genetic counselling and genetic testing services if indicated. Through partnership with the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) we also provide women with a personal or family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer with a personalized breast cancer risk assessment.

Our goal is to identify individuals and families who may be at an increased risk of developing specific types of cancer and to inform them about the appropriate prevention and screening recommendations available.

Who are we?

Our services are provided by a team consisting of genetic counsellors, geneticists and administrative/clerical staff.

In our region, eligibility for hereditary cancer genetic testing is determined by CHEO’s Hereditary Cancer Clinic, and in collaboration with some specialty clinics.

Coming soon: See more about our Genetics to Oncology (G2O) Mainstreaming initiative

Eligibility is guided by testing criteria outlined by Ontario Health - Cancer Care Ontario.

The hereditary cancer testing criteria can be found here. Pages 23 to 25 contain a quick reference table summarizing testing criteria by condition.

Note that referral criteria is different than testing criteria. See page 2 of our referral form for guidance.

If you think your patient may be eligible for a genetic assessment, please refer to the Hereditary Cancer Clinic.

If you are unsure about your patient’s referral or testing eligibility, please use Champlain BASE eConsult service or call the cancer genetic counsellor on-call at 613-737-7600 ext. 3635 (for healthcare provider use only).

High-risk breast cancer screening

These assessments are for individuals with strong family histories of breast and/or ovarian cancer:

For women with OHIP coverage who are between ages 30-69 years, and have no personal history of breast or ovarian cancer, please refer directly to the Ontario Breast Screening Program High Risk.
For women who do not meet the above criteria (e.g. RAMQ, DND or other coverage, younger than age 29), please refer to the Hereditary Cancer Program

How to make a referral

Hereditary cancer referral form

Hereditary cancer family history questionnaire

Please complete the Hereditary Cancer Referral Form and mail or fax to:

Regional Genetics Program, CHEO
401 Smyth Road
Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1
Fax: 613-738-4822

Important information to include in your referral:

Physician’s full name and phone number
Physician’s number
Patient’s name, address, and phone number
Relevant family history (i.e. who is affected, exactly how they are related to the patient).
Appropriate medical records (i.e., pathology reports, test results) of the patient and/or affected relatives.

We accept referrals from any physician or through the OBSP.

Send an eReferral
Did you know pediatricians and family doctors can register for EpicCare Link to send an eReferral to CHEO?
Learn more and register.

For additional information

For providers:

For the public:

Privacy and your Genetics visit

Sign up for MyChart to access your CHEO health record anywhere, any time.
MyChart is a secure, online patient portal that connects you to parts of your CHEO electronic health record and allows you to send two-way secure communication to your care team, complete any questionnaires your care team sends and much more.
To learn more about MyChart and sign up, visit our MyChart page and fill out the MyChart Access Request Form.

As of April 2018, Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) is permitted to collect personal health information (PHI) from CHEO and other health information custodians for the purpose of facilitating or improving the provision of health-care.

What does this mean for me as it relates to my care?

Before this change, you would have been asked to sign a Release of Personal Health Information in order for your information to be sent to Cancer Care Ontario. This means at your visit, you will not be asked to fill out an authorization for the Release of Personal Health Information as part of the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP). Your information will automatically be submitted to Cancer Care Ontario as part of facilitating or improving the provision of healthcare. This change in practice has been reviewed and approved by the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.

Cancer genetic counselling appointments

What is genetic counselling?

Genetic counselling is a session with a Genetic Counsellor and/or a Physician specifically trained in Clinical Genetics. It is a way to learn whether the cancers in your family are likely to be inherited. Genetic counselling helps you to understand the differences between “sporadic” cancers (which occur by chance) and “hereditary” cancers, and to understand your personal risk of developing cancer.

Who will I be meeting with?

You will meet with a Genetic Counsellor and/or a Physician specifically trained in Clinical Genetics. A Genetic Counsellor is a health care professional with specialized training and experience in the areas of medical genetics and counselling.

What will happen at my genetic counselling appointment?

Medical information about you and your family will be reviewed, using the family history questionnaire you completed ahead of time. We will give you information about your cancer risk and your options for cancer screening.

Your appointment may be a group information session with other individuals who have a family history of cancer. Or your appointment may be a one-on-one session. If you receive an appointment for a group information session, a genetic counsellor will be available to answer questions if needed.

What is genetic testing?

Genetic testing can be done on a blood sample with the goal of identifying a gene alteration (change) that is known to increase cancer risk.

Will I have genetic testing?

Not necessarily. Only a minority of individuals who come for genetic counselling are offered testing. During your appointment, the physician or genetic counsellor will talk with you about whether you or a family member is a candidate for genetic testing. If it is offered, genetic testing is voluntary and there are pros and cons that will be discussed with you. Most individuals attending a group information session are unlikely to have genetic testing.

What is the importance of cancer risk assessments?

A risk assessment may change your options for screening or preventative measures (such as medication or surgery) to lower cancer risk.

How long will I be there?

Appointments usually last one to two hours, which gives you plently of time to ask the physician or genetic counsellor questions.

Please bring your health card and arrive 20 minutes before your appointment so that registration can be completed first.

What if I need to cancel my appointment?

Please call the Genetics Clinic as soon as you know that you will need to cancel or reschedule. Because the Inherited Cancer Program has a long waiting list of appointments, we try to schedule someone else during your appointment. Please help us make the best use of health care resources by notifying us as early as possible if you need to reschedule.