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Jessica Lieu, Havas Formula
CCRM@HavasFormula.com or 619-234-0345
New preimplantation genetic testing lab helps to eradicate hereditary cancers from future generations
DENVER – September 26, 2018 – CCRM (Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine), one of the leading fertility centers in the U.S., today announced the opening of its new Hereditary Cancer and Disease Prevention Lab, offering prospective parents and families with a history of inherited cancers the opportunity to eliminate these cancers from their family tree and future generations forever via preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). CCRM is the only fertility center in the U.S. with its own dedicated, internal genetics lab and team of seasoned molecular genetic scientists, led by world-renowned reproductive geneticist, Mandy Katz-Jaffe, PhD.
There are dozens of genetic mutations that can lead to cancer, including breast and ovarian cancer (BRCA, ATM, etc.). Individuals that carry the mutated cancer gene have a 50 percent risk of passing the mutated gene to their children. Through PGT performed in conjunction with in vitro fertilization (IVF), CCRM can screen an individual’s embryos to avoid passing on the known familial cancer mutation to future offspring and stop the inheritance of cancer.
PGT involves removing a few cells from a five or six-day old embryo (known as a blastocyst) and screening for inherited genetic mutations. Following the screening, the patient can then choose to transfer the unaffected, mutation-free embryos into the uterus and/or store them with CCRM for future use.
“Through our new lab, we have an incredible opportunity to remove inherited cancers from a family tree forever,” said CCRM Scientific Director Dr. Mandy Katz-Jaffe. “We believe PGT is the future of fertility and we’re proud to be at the forefront of leveraging genetic testing as a solution for those affected with inherited single gene disorders.”
Although PGT is not a new technology, this option is rarely explored by patients outside the infertility spectrum simply due to lack of awareness and accessibility. With the opening of the Hereditary Cancer and Disease Prevention Lab, CCRM will work directly with oncologists and cancer genetic clinics to offer families affected by hereditary cancer CCRM’s gold standard in care and treatment, performing every stage of PGT and IVF in-house through its new lab.
“We have been hard at work to create our Hereditary Cancer and Disease Prevention Lab with one single goal: to allow any patient with a history of inherited cancer to live their dream of having a healthy baby, and ultimately, a healthy family,” said CCRM Founder William Schoolcraft, M.D. “We are proud to be the fertility center to offer these incredible services in-house, led by Dr. Katz-Jaffe and her world-renowned team of molecular genetic scientists. This is just one more step CCRM is taking to support our patients in their pursuit of pregnancy from fertility treatment through birth.”
CCRM’s industry-leading approach to fertility research and treatment has offered prospective parents the fastest path to the healthiest baby since its inception. From fertility treatments, to its world-class physicians with decades of experience in genetic testing to egg freezing and IVF, CCRM uniquely operates with full accountability for the entire fertility continuum, thus increasing the chances of healthy pregnancies and now, hereditary cancer-free babies.
CCRM’s Hereditary Cancer and Disease Prevention Lab is located in Lone Tree, Colorado. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, visit ccrmivf.com.