Genetic testing program pioneered in Maritimes improving cancer care in Canada

HEALTH Genetic testing program pioneered in Maritimes improving cancer care in Canada By Rebecca Lau & Skye Bryden-Blom Global News Posted September 23, 2026 5:34 pm 4 min read A genetic testing program pioneered in the Maritimes is helping to improve cancer care in Canada. A patient who has received treatment for blood cancer credits the work with saving his life. The testing helped rule out a stem-cell donor due to a genetic risk for developing leukemia. Skye Bryden-Blom reports. LEAVE A COMMENT SHARE THIS ITEM ON FACEBOOK SHARE THIS ITEM ON X SEND THIS PAGE TO SOMEONE VIA EMAIL SEE MORE SHARING OPTIONS DESCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE INCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE A genetic testing program that helps rule out a stem-cell donor due to a genetic risk for developing leukemia was pioneered in the Maritimes and is helping to improve cancer care in Canada. Ryan White credits the work at the IWK Maritime Centre for Precision Medicine in Halifax for saving his life. “I think the odds, if I didn’t have this testing through Precision Medicine, like I don’t think I’d be here today,” he said. Back in 2020, White was feeling short of breath and had low energy, so he decided to seek medical help. Soon, he learned he had a rare form of leukemia. “It’s a disease called acute myeloid leukemia, so it’s a blood cancer. It’s (a) very quick progression if it’s not caught in time,” he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT He was treated in May 2020 with chemotherapy, and despite going into remission, the cancer came back later that year. This time, he needed a bone marrow transplant. “I was home for a few weeks and then found out. It was an unfortunate Christmas present that I came out of remission in December and then had to go back for a second round of testing,” he recalled. “That first trial didn’t work, (so) we went straight to that level three. And they prepared me for a bone marrow transplant, so more chemotherapy and then ultimately leading up into a bone-marrow transplant.” Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY HEALTH NEWSLETTER GET STARTED BY PROVIDING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO GLOBAL NEWS' TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY. It was at this point that hereditary genetic testing was used to help create his treatment plan. The testing was done as part of Canada’s first clinical program focused on hereditary myeloid malignancies, which was…