Genetic testing is one of the services Dr. Deepa Takhar provides out of her Cambridge clinic.

She’s done it often enough to know that some of her patients need to be prepared for any possible result.

“Even before we do the testing, I tell you ‘If you come across this or this, how do you feel?’” she says.

“So you have a plan set up even before you have the testing.”

Robin Thomas was run through that process when she visited Takhar hoping genetic testing would help her learn more about her chronic fatigue.

 “I thought if I did the genetic testing, it would give a precursor to what is going on with my system,” she says.

She’s still waiting to learn about her results, but Thomas has already learned that what happens after the rest results are in are as important as the decision to take the test.

Statistics from MedCan show that 65 per cent of Canadians who undergo genetic testing make changes to their physical activity after receiving results, 69 per cent change their diet and 46 per cent seek additional tests or screenings.

Thomas says she’d go even farther if her results showed something abnormal.

“I want to be proactive and I’m ready to deal with the result,” she says.

“For instance, if there was a precursor for breast cancer – immediate double mastectomy.”

But not all outcomes of learning genetic testing results are positive.

In Canada, results showing predispositions to certain diseases can cause people to be denied life insurance, health insurance, and even employment.

“It is absolutely shocking that when we talk to Canadians, many don’t know that the information can be used against them,” says Bev Hein-Myers, CEO and executive director of the Huntington Society of Canada and chair of the Canadian Coalition for Genetic Fairness.

American legislation prevents residents of that country from being discriminated against based on genetic information, but Canadians have no similar protection – although this week’s federal throne speech outlined plans to introduce a similar law.

CTV’s Rosie Del Campo is looking at the ins and outs of genetic testing in a special series airing this week on CTV News.