Hereditary cancer & disease prevention

CCRM’s Hereditary Cancer and Disease Prevention Lab provides prospective families with a history of inherited cancers with in-house, state-of-the-art genetic testing via preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). This remarkable scientific technology reduces your risk of passing on inheritable cancers by selecting embryos unaffected by certain gene mutations.

How does PGT work?

PGT is performed in conjunction with in vitro fertilization (IVF) to determine if the inherited cancer mutation has been passed on to an embryo. The testing involves carefully removing a few cells from an embryo and then screening the cells for the inherited genetic mutations. Following the testing, the couple or mother can then choose to transfer the unaffected, cancer mutation-free embryos into the uterus and/or store them for future use.

What cancers can CCRM test for?

CCRM can screen for any known familial cancer mutation. There are dozens of cancer mutations that have been identified to date, including:

Brain cancer
Breast cancer
Colon cancer
Endocrine cancer
Gastric cancer
Gastrointestinal cancer
Genitourinary cancer
Gynecologic cancer
Hematologic cancer
Melanoma
Ovarian/fallopian tube cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Pediatric cancer
Prostate cancer
Skin cancer
Uterine cancer

Scientific rigor at CCRM

CCRM is the only fertility center in the U.S. with its own dedicated genetics lab and team of molecular genetic scientists. Led by world-renowned reproductive geneticist Mandy Katz-Jaffe, PhD, CCRM’s team brings another level of expertise to the testing process.