North York General Hospital’s clinical service offers genetic counselling, assessment and diagnosis to a wide range of patients who meet with a genetic counsellor and/or clinical geneticist. We aim to provide information and support to our patients in a clear and sensitive manner. We will ask questions about a person’s family history and might ask to collect medical records on the patient or his/her relatives. Medical records can give specific details needed for genetic assessment. Genetic disease can have far-reaching implications for the extended family. The Genetics Program has a unique and strong family-focused approach to patient care.
Genetic testing is offered in certain situations. The limitations and benefits of genetic testing are discussed at length with patients to help them make an informed choice.
Patients with an upcoming cancer genetic counselling appointment should watch this video prior to their appointment.
To watch the video with real-time closed captioning (subtitles), please click on the CC logo in the lower right corner after the video starts.
We offer services for:
North York General Hospital’s genetics prenatal services are available for:
Group genetic counselling for women over 35 years old
Genetic counselling for positive maternal serum screens, abnormal ultrasound findings and teratogen exposure
Genetic counselling for a family history of a chromosome condition or other genetic disorders
The Charlotte and Lewis Steinberg Familial Cancer Clinic provides genetic assessment and counselling for individuals and families at increased risk for inherited cancer. Our multidisciplinary team meets with patients to discuss their hereditary cancer risk, cancer screening and preventive options, and the provincial eligibility criteria for genetic testing. Where indicated, genetic testing is done by the North York General Hospital molecular genetics laboratory.
The molecular lab provides testing for Huntington disease for all genetic centres and other health care facilities in the province. Families and individual at risk for Huntington disease are able to access North York General Hospital’s counseling, predictive testing and long-term care follow-up in a multidisciplinary clinic. Patients attending the clinic have access to genetics, neurology, psychiatry and social work services.
Contact us
North York General Hospital, General site
4001 Leslie Street, 3rd floor
Toronto ON M2K 1E1