Can’t Find It?
Hopefully this list will help!

If, after searching our test menu, you can’t locate the test you are interested in, it may be available at other laboratories.

Labs in British Columbia

Cytogenetic (Chromosome) testing

May include such testing as: karyotype, FISH testing, comparative microarray analysis (CMA)

• BC Children’s Hospital Cytogenetic Lab: 604-875-2304
• Royal Columbian Hospital Cytogenetic Lab: 604-520-4484
• Vancouver General Hospital Cytogenetic Lab: 604-875-4129
• Victoria General Hospital Cytogenetic Lab: 250-727-4262
• BC Cancer Agency Cytogenetic Lab: 604-877-6000 ext. 2094
  • ** Cytogenetic testing of certain tumour specimens only **
    http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/HPI/labservices/PathologyRequestForms.htm

DNA testing for hereditary cancer syndromes

Genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromes generally requires that the patient be referred to the Hereditary Cancer Program at the BC Cancer Agency.  This clinic facilitates testing in BC at the Cancer Genetics Lab as well as out of province testing for hereditary cancer syndromes for which testing is not available in BC.

• Hereditary Cancer Program at BC Cancer Agency: 604-877-6000 ext. 2325
  www.bccancer.bc.ca/hereditarycancer
  
• BC Cancer Agency Cancer Genetics Lab: 604-877-6000 ext. 2084
  http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/HPI/labservices/PathologyRequestForms.htm

Mitochondrial DNA testing:

• BC Children’s Hospital Biochemical Genetics Lab: 604-875-2307
  ** Will also facilitate out of province testing for other biochemical diseases **

HLA Typing:

Testing to determine donor suitability should be coordinated through a Transplant Coordinator. For HLA testing to determine disease susceptibility or drug sensitivities, contact the lab to discuss feasibility prior to sending the patient for testing.

• Vancouver General Hospital Immunology Lab: 604-875-4393

Thrombophilia testing

May include such testing as: Factor V Leiden, Prothrombin III

• Vancouver General Hospital Immunology Lab: 604-875-4393
• Victoria General Hospital Molecular Lab: 250-727-4262

Paternity and other identity testing:

May include such testing as paternity testing, testing to determine whether twins are identical or fraternal, other identity testing.  Many private labs perform these tests in Canada.  MGL does not endorse any particular lab.  Labs can be identified easily using any search engine and the search terms “Vancouver paternity testing.”

 

Labs outside of British Columbia

Clinical molecular genetic testing is available worldwide.  A useful resource for identifying appropriate labs is www.genetests.org.  For further information on pursuing medically relevant out-of-province molecular genetic testing, please see Out of Province Genetic Testing Protocol {link to pdf} and Out of Province Genetic Testing FAQs {link to pdf}.