In general, genetic counselling is a service that helps individuals and families understand genetic conditions, assess the risks of being affected and/or passing them on to their children, and make informed decisions about their health and that of their family.
Our genetic counselling service can help, among other things, to:
- Understand genetic information related to breast cancer, including risk factors.
- Evaluate your personal and family history of cancer.
- Become familiar with the indications (eligibility criteria) for genetic testing.
- Discuss the risks of inheriting or passing on a genetic predisposition to breast cancer.
- Learn about available genetic testing options, including their benefits, risks, and limitations.
- Understand follow-up and management options, as well as available resources and support after genetic testing.
For example, this service may be for you if you have:
- Been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer
- A known genetic mutation in your family (e.g., BRCA1, BRCA2, or another)
- A family history of cancers such as:
- Breast cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Breast cancer in a man
- Metastatic prostate cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- More than one cancer in the same person
- A family history of cancer in a family of Ashkenazi Jewish descent
** Please note that the genetic counselling service offered by the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation does not include genetic testing. These tests are available with a physician’s referral, either through the public healthcare system or privately.
Thanks to our financial contribution, this service is offered free of charge.
If you have questions about the hereditary or genetic aspects of breast cancer, we invite you to visit our website. There, you’ll find reliable information, short explainer videos, and resources to help you better understand the connection between genetics and breast cancer.
Watch the testimonials
Watch our educational video clips
Consult the guidelines for the care of individuals with a hereditary predisposition to breast cancer.
To register for our genetic counseling service, please complete the eligibility form for our services.
Nathalie Bolduc, MSc, CCGC, CGC
Certified Genetic Counsellor
Nathalie Bolduc holds a Master’s degree in Genetic Counseling from McGill University and works as Project manager – Operations at the McPeak-Sirois Group, a consortium in breast cancer clinical research. Nathalie has over 25 years in both the public and private health sectors where she gained a unique combination of clinical expertise as well as experience in business development and the implementation of innovative clinical genetics services. She served as President of the Quebec Association of Genetic Counsellors and as President of the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors. She is committed to making genetics accessible for professionals and the general public through lectures, conferences, media interviews and partnerships with non-profit organizations to create educational resources.
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