Part I of this tool can be used to identify individuals who may have an increased chance of having a hereditary predisposition to breast or ovarian cancer.

If an individual has a personal history of cancer, check out Part II for more detailed criteria. If ever in doubt, you can reach out to your local genetics clinic or eConsult.

Part I includes general features suggestive of hereditary cancer in a family as well as more targeted questions that can be incorporated into family history taking to assess suspicion of hereditary breast or ovarian cancer.

Eligibility criteria for genetic testing vary across Canadian provinces. In general, criteria are based on personal and/or family history that increase the likelihood of a hereditary cancer susceptibility syndrome.

Part II criteria are intended to identify individuals at increased risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Depending on the causative gene, personal and/or family histories may also include prostate, pancreatic, and other cancers.

For more information see the comprehensive GECKO deep dive or the concise GECKO on the run. 

Links to your provincial breast screening program can be found here.

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Disclaimer:

·           GECKO is an independent not-for-profit program that does not accept support from commercial or non-academic entities.

·           GECKO aims to aid the practicing non-genetics clinician by providing informed resources regarding genetic/genomic conditions, services and technologies that have been developed in a rigorous and evidence-based manner with periodic updating. The content on the GECKO site is for educational purposes only. No resource should be used as a substitute for clinical judgement. GECKO assumes no responsibility or liability resulting from the use of information contained herein.

·           All clinicians using this site are encouraged to consult local genetics clinics, medical geneticists, or specialists for clarification of questions that arise relating to specific patient problems.

·           All patients should seek the advice of their own physician or other qualified clinician regarding any medical questions or conditions.

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·           We strive to provide accurate, timely, unbiased, and up-to-date information on this site, and make every attempt to ensure the integrity of the site. However, it is possible that the information contained here may contain inaccuracies or errors for which neither GECKO nor its funding agencies assume responsibility.