Life-Changing DNA Insights Will Help Patients Prevent Disease
TORONTO, July 23 /CNW/ - The Medcan Clinic today announced a strategic
alliance with Navigenics(R), a leading personal genomics company, to integrate
preventive genomic medicine into Medcan's clinical practice.
Medcan is the only clinic in Canada to offer Navigenics(R) personalized
genetic testing services in conjunction with in-person counselling by a
certified Genetic Counsellor. By combining a patient's genetic risk profile
with family history, Medcan gives a more complete picture, arming patients
with powerful information to take personalized preventive steps.
"Personal genetic testing is an emerging field and the science is
evolving," said Dr. James Aw, Medcan's Medical Director. "Interpretation of
results requires expertise. Medcan is pleased to offer this leading-edge
service as an important component of a preventive healthcare strategy for our
clients. We will continue to enhance the program as the field evolves."
Using a simple saliva test, Medcan's Personal Genome Testing looks at
variations in patients' DNA and provides information about their genetic
predisposition for a variety of important health conditions, such as breast
cancer, colon cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and type 2 diabetes. Medcan only
tests for genetic risks that are clinically actionable, allowing patients to
lower their risk through prevention strategies and more personalized
screening. The patient's results are held on a secure web portal that provides
personalized updates, adding new condition predispositions, new markers, and
new clinical and wellness strategies.
"Medcan is a national leader in bringing preventive healthcare to the
lives of Canadians," said Vance Vanier, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of
Navigenics(R). "By enhancing their genetics program with Navigenics
personalized genetic testing, Medcan continues to set the standard in patient
care focused on prevention and innovative healthcare strategies."
About Medcan:
The Medcan Clinic is a leading preventive healthcare clinic focused on
identifying health risks before signs and symptoms occur. Medcan offers
individuals, families and corporate executives the most thorough head-to-toe
medical assessment on the market, performed by a top-quality clinical team in
a single 5 hour visit. Medcan also provides an array of in-house health and
wellness services, such as diagnostic imaging, genetics, optometry, fitness
and nutritional counselling, to customize patients' medical care and optimize
healthy outcomes. Patients benefit from Medcan's in-house specialists and
extensive referral network.
About Navigenics:
Navigenicsis a privately held company based in Northern California. The
company was founded by David Agus, M.D., and Dietrich Stephan, Ph.D., with the
goal of improving health outcomes across the population. Navigenics educates
and empowers individuals and their physicians with knowledge of their genetic
predispositions, motivating them to act on the information to prevent the
onset of disease, achieve earlier diagnosis, appropriately manage disease, or
otherwise lessen its impact. Navigenics' lead investors are Kleiner Perkins
Caufield and Byers, Sequoia Capital, and MDV-Mohr Davidow Ventures. More
information is found at www.navigenics.com.
For further information: Sonya Singh, Manager, Public Relations and
Communications, Medcan Clinic, 150 York Street, Suite 1500, Toronto, Ontario,
M5H 3S5, Office: (416) 350-5900 ext 3692, Cell phone: (416) 560-1490, Office
fax: (416) 350-5981, E-mail: sonyasingh@medcan.com, Website: www.medcan.com
