Hereditary cancer syndrome patients are born with a genetic change placing them at a high risk of cancer, with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) and Lynch Syndrome (LS) being most common. Carriers of gene mutations (e.g. BRCA1/2) undergo intensive medical testing for early detection, or may choose preventative removal of organs at risk of cancer. Importantly, some cancers cannot be detected early by screening. Surveillance and surgeries place a significant health, travel and financial burden on patients and families.

Our goal is to improve early cancer detection by developing a blood test to predict cancer development in carriers using circulating DNA. As carriers develop cancer, they may have pre-cancerous cells which release this DNA into the blood (cell-free DNA; cfDNA), which can be detected with novel genetic technologies.

The Canadian CHARM Consortium

The Canadian CHARM Consortium is made up of researchers and hereditary cancer specialists across Canada. The vision for the CHARM consortium is to revolutionize the management of hereditary cancer syndrome patients through earlier detection of all potential cancers using circulating tumour DNA analysis.

We currently have CHARM sites in six provinces, and counting! CHARM Headquarters is based out of the University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto, Ontario.

Global CHARM Collaborators

Our CHARM team is actively building connections with researchers, clinicians, and hereditary cancer specialists around the world. With partnerships spanning five continents, we continue to develop new relationships that foster knowledge sharing, align research efforts, and expand our global reach to advance care for individuals and families affected by hereditary cancer.

We welcome opportunities to build new collaborations and strengthen our global network. If you or your organization are interested in partnering with us, please reach out to learn more about how we can work together to drive meaningful impact worldwide.

Funding Sources