Medcan is the first Canadian Clinic to provide Verinata Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) to pregnant women

TORONTO, April 4, 2013 /CNW/ - This test can screen for Down syndrome and other chromosome abnormalities as early as 10 weeks into the pregnancy, using a simple blood test. Specifically, Medcan is offering the verifi® prenatal test from Verinata Health®, an Illumina Company.  This test analyzes fetal DNA in maternal blood in order to screen for missing or extra copies of chromosomes. The aim of NIPT is to provide the most accurate information available without posing a risk to the pregnancy, in order to minimize unnecessary invasive procedures.

"We feel strongly that women in Canada should have access to this revolutionary testing, which is increasingly becoming part of routine prenatal care in the United States," said Dr. James Aw, Medcan's medical director. "Up until now, Canadian women wishing to opt for NIPT were travelling to the United States to have the test performed."

Not all NIPT tests are equal. After extensive review of the various NIPT options available, Medcan chose to partner with Verinata Health® to offer the verifi® prenatal test, which represents the most comprehensive non-invasive prenatal test detection menu available. In comparison with other NIPT tests, the verifi® prenatal test offers the option to test for sex chromosome (X and Y) abnormalities in addition to the core set of trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome) and trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome). Further, the test uses superior technology to provide more accurate information over current prenatal testing methods based on numerical risk scores. All Medcan NIPT appointments include pre-test counselling, informed consent and results review with a board certified genetic counsellor, as well as physician oversight by Medcan's clinical geneticist, Dr. Lea Velsher. No physician referral is required to access this test. NIPT is currently not covered by Canadian public insurance plans, but is covered by many private insurance plans in the US.

"Medcan has a history of providing cutting-edge genetic technologies for patients, and a commitment to the highest level of medical service and genetic counselling," said Vance Vanier, M.D., Vice President of Global Commercial Operations at Verinata Health®. "By offering the verifi test through our U.S. based CLIA laboratory in combination with Medcan's patient-centered services, women in Canada will now have access to a superior combination of products and services."

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.

SOURCE: Medcan Clinic

Media Contact:
Jill Davies M.Sc., CCGC
Genetic Counsellor, Program Director
Medcan Clinic
416.350.5908
[email protected]