At LifeLabs, we offer genetic testing in the areas of family planning and oncology. Depending on the test, formal pre-test and/or post-test counselling with summary letters may already be included in the price of the test.

Clinical information support is available for all genetics tests to answer any questions or help patients decide if these tests are right for them. After receiving the results, patients will need to speak with their healthcare provider before speaking with a genetic counsellor.

Patients and healthcare providers can call 1-84-GENE-HELP or email ask.genetics@lifelabs.com to connect with a genetic counsellor before or after a test with any questions they may have. Genetic counsellors are not able to disclose results but are happy to answer questions about a report once it has been reviewed by the ordering healthcare provider.

If a more formal session is requested to review medical and family history in the context of testing options or results, LifeLabs offers fee-for-genetic counselling services.

TEST TYPE	TEST SUPPORT	PRE-TEST	POST-TEST
Hereditary cancer (e.g.: BRCA1/2) testing
Panorama Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)
SignateraTM
Expanded Carrier Screening (ECS)

* Counselling is performed through LifeLabs Genetics or a LifeLabs Genetics partner. 

• Each session lasts up to 60 minutes at the cost of $250 per session, and can be provided by phone or online videoconferencing, depending on the patient’s preference
• Consultations are available in English and French
• A review and detailed discussion of an individual’s medical and family history
• An analysis of potential risk for hereditary conditions
• A written summary of relevant inheritance patterns and causes of conditions sent to both you and your ordering healthcare provider 
• A medical picture of your family tree (pedigree) sent to you and your ordering healthcare provider
• A discussion on follow-up genetic testing, including the benefits and limitations of genetic tests
• If applicable, interpretation of genetic test results in the context of the medical and family history

Genetic counselling sessions are completely tailored to the test you are considering or have selected, your goals for genetic testing, your health conditions and status, and your questions. The counselling session enables you to voice concerns in a safe, confidential, open-minded environment.

These counselling sessions are designed for adults. Parents and guardians should attend on a child’s behalf. The session may, at your discretion, include a healthcare provider(s), a spouse or partner, and/or family members. We recommend limiting participation to 2 or 3 people, in addition to the genetic counsellor, as the sessions may become emotional, cover complex and sensitive topics, and are limited by time.

To book a consultation, speak to your healthcare provider, who will have to fax over a completed signed referral form. Once received along with payment ($250 for up to a 60-minute session), one of our genetic coordinators will reach out to you. Consultations can be booked on the same day and are offered at 9:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. ET from Monday - Friday, subject to availability.

For questions about appointment booking, contact the genetics helpline at 1-844-363-4357 (ext. 0).

Before your consultation, you may wish to prepare questions and concerns for your genetic counsellor to address. Prior to your session, you will be requested to complete the medical and family history part of the referral form. It is helpful to try to determine the ages of family members (living or deceased) and the ages at diagnoses in the family where applicable. After completion, your healthcare provider will provide the form to LifeLabs.

During your consultation, your genetic counsellor will ask questions about your personal and familial health history, followed by a discussion about whether these conditions can be inherited, and by whom. The genetic counsellor will then inform you about any tests they may recommend and give you the opportunity to ask additional questions. The genetic counsellor will also interpret genetic test results as requested in the context of the medical and family history.

After the session, the genetic counsellor will prepare a summary letter for you and your healthcare provider with your genetic risks and recommendations This letter will be sent to you over an encrypted email after identity has been verified electronically. If an individual does not have access to email, a mailing option is available.

If you need to speak to a genetic subsequent to your initial session (e.g., you subsequently paid for genetic testing and need help interpreting results), another referral and fee will be required.