Genetic Testing for Polycystic Kidney Disease: What Patients Need to Know | Webinar Recording
This webinar was held live on October 14, 2025.
Genetic counselling can play an important role in understanding polycystic kidney disease (PKD) - from confirming a diagnosis to guiding treatment decisions and family planning.
But what does the process really look like, and when should you consider it - for yourself, or for your children?
Watch this special roundtable discussion with Dr. Matthew Lanktree, Nephrologist, and Nick Ashawasega, ADPKD patient, where we explore the basics of genetic counselling and testing for PKD.
Together, we talk about how PKD is inherited, when counselling may be recommended, and what testing can and can’t tell us.
We also discuss benefits, challenges, protections under Canada’s Genetic Non-Discrimination Act, and how to access genetic counselling across the country.
This was a collaborative conversation, with a live question and answer period.
About the panelists
Dr. Matt Lanktree is a clinician-scientist, associate professor, and medical director of the McMaster Kidney Genetics Clinic, caring for patients with inherited kidney disease at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton and McMaster University.
Matt trained across Ontario, starting with computer science at University of Waterloo, medical school and a PhD in genetics at Western University, Internal Medicine and Nephrology training at McMaster University, and a post-doctoral fellowship in inherited kidney disease at University of Toronto with Dr. York Pei. Matt also had extra training in polycystic kidney disease at University of Chicago with Dr. Arlene Chapman.
Matt has published over 100 articles in genetics and medicine with ongoing studies into genetics and CKD.
Matt cares for hundreds of patients with ADPKD, as well as patients with many other inherited kinds of kidney disease and he has set his goal to use genetics to improve the care of patients with kidney disease.
Nick Ashawasega is a PKD patient whose ADPKD story was shared by Patient Voice in 2023. He has been involved as a patient partner in the Canadian review of the 2025 KDIGO ADPKD guideline, and he has a passion for improving PKD diagnosis and care in Indigenous communities.
Resources
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