William Foulkes

‘Jumping gene’ helps explain elevated pancreatic cancer risk in French-Canadians

keila.depape@mcgill.ca — Tue, 19 May 2026 14:13:41 +0000

Researchers at 91ɬ�� have discovered a centuries-old genetic mutation that helps to explain why some French‑Canadians in Quebec are at an elevated risk of pancreatic cancer. Until quite recently, standard genetic tests have not been able to identify this “jumping gene” cause.

The findings, published in the Journal of Medical Genetics, suggest better-targeted genetic testing could help identify people at higher cancer risk who were previously missed.

Experts: Cancer screening guidelines

keila.depape@mcgill.ca — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 14:20:36 +0000

The federal government is expected to overhaul Canada’s cancer screening task force following criticism that its recommendations are outdated and lacked expert input. Breast cancer screening is a key focus, with growing pressure to lower the starting age to 40.

91ɬ�� experts are available to speak to the debate, including:

Common hereditary cancer mutation in Quebec traced to single ancestor

keila.depape@mcgill.ca — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 18:17:28 +0000

Researchers have shed new light on the most common genetic variant linked to hereditary cancer in Quebec’s French-Canadian population. Their findings could result in cheaper and more effective screening methods.

The variant is associated with Lynch syndrome, a condition that greatly increases the risk of colorectal and other cancers.

Universal genetic testing of breast cancer patients could help many

keila.depape@mcgill.ca — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 15:56:18 +0000

A new study demonstrates how universal genetic testing for breast cancer can ensure no patient is missed for advanced therapies.

Searching for the “signature” causes of BRCAness in breast cancer

priya.pajel@mail.mcgill.ca — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 14:18:47 +0000

By Tom Ulrich from the Broad Institute

William Foulkes

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 16:59:44 +0000

Limiting genetic tests for breast cancer susceptibility

melody.enguix@mcgill.ca — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 20:26:01 +0000

Screening for genes whose risk association with breast cancer has yet to be proven is not justified and potentially harmful, argue an international team of leading geneticists and oncologists in a paper published this week in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.