Link to Myriad Genetics' COLARIS information.

Men and women around the world have benefited from genetic susceptibility testing for colon and endometrial cancers. This test is considered the "gold standard". LifeLabs believes COLARIS™ will go a long way to help Canadians and their doctors better manage, diagnose and prevent these diseases. With that said, genetic testing is very time-consuming, complex and requires advanced technology to perform. Each individual blood sample is analyzed on expensive instrumentation by a team of scientific researchers.

The fee for this test may be covered by your provincial health plan or by your personal insurance plan. If neither plan provides coverage for the test, you will be required to pay for the full price of the test. Full payment for the test is required prior to the blood sample being drawn.

The Testing Process

• LifeLabs strongly recommends that all patients who are candidates for COLARIS™ receive counseling from a qualified healthcare provider.
• After counseling, the patient reviews and signs a detailed informed consent form we provide for your records.
• A 10cc blood sample is drawn and sent to LifeLabs laboratories in the shipping envelope provided in the test kit.
• COLARIS™ results are available in approximately twenty-five days.

Medical Treatment Options
Knowing your HNPCC status can give you and your physician the knowledge necessary to determine what steps to take to reduce your chances of developing an HNPCC related cancer. Individuals who are found to have an MLH1 or MSH2 gene mutation may consider the following preventive options:

Colorectal Cancer

Surveillance
Colonoscopy every 1-3 years, beginning at age 20-25 or 10 years before the earliest diagnosis of colorectal cancer in your family, whichever comes first

Preventive Surgery
Preventive colectomy (surgical removal of the colon) may be an option for known HNPCC patients when precancerous polyps are discovered during surveillance.
In carefully selected people, (i.e. those not willing or able to undergo periodic screening) preventive colectomy may be an option based on having a genetic test result positive for HNPCC.
If colon cancer is diagnosed in a patient with HNPCC, a full, rather than partial colectomy is recommended

Chemoprevention
Different drugs for the prevention of colorectal cancer are currently being investigated for individuals with HNPCC.

Endometrial Cancer

Surveillance
Transvaginal ultrasound and/or endometrial aspirate annually, starting at age 25-35.

Preventive Surgery
Removal of the uterus and ovaries may be an option if endometrial cancer is detected and may also be considered as an option when childbearing is concluded.