More than one in 10 people with cancer are born with a change in their genes (called mutations) that makes them more likely to get cancer. Mutations can pass from parents to their children, causing hereditary cancers.

The Ontario Hereditary Cancer Research Network (OHCRN) is a province-wide program that collects information from people who have a higher chance of getting cancer due to their genetics. OHCRN is a collaborative network of health care providers, laboratory scientists, researchers, patients and patient advocates working to improve access to research, clinical trials, existing cancer registries, and advocacy groups.

People with hereditary cancer often see many doctors and have frequent screening. This is important so that cancer can be detected and treated as early as possible. But sometimes it is hard for doctors to know the best way to care for people with inherited cancer. Access to more information from research can help doctors improve care.

This is why we created the OHCRN registry, a way to collect information about patients, their genes and any cancers they develop. The information that we collect will help researchers learn more about hereditary cancers. It can also help us better understand cancer in general.

Adults and children in Ontario who have a known gene mutation or who have had genetic testing for inherited cancer (regardless of the result) can join OHCRN. Interested individuals can consent to join OHCRN online through our Participant Portal on our website.

OHCRN works with clinics, doctors, and labs in Ontario. By collecting patient information into one secure central location, researchers will have access to better data and which will lead to better patient care.