Most breast cancer cases are not hereditary, so everyone should still have an. A positive test result means that a mutation known to raise the risk of breast and ovarian cancer was identified. If you notice any changes, see your doctor right away. A family pedigree is a chart that shows the genetic makeup of a person's ancestors. What Are My Options if I Have a 'Cancer Gene'? Breast cancer survivors and those in treatment should speak with a genetics expert to see if testing is right for them. Genetic testing is very controversial. The results also can impact other family members such as siblings and offspring; when someone tests positive for a gene mutation, their siblings and offspring will have a 50% risk of also testing positive. Those considering breast cancer genetic testing may wonder if there are any pros and cons to having it performed. Genetic counseling is recommended for those who are interested in being tested for breast cancer gene mutations. SU2C / MAGENTA MAGENTA provides genetic testing and tele-counseling to … It also does not rule out the possibility of developing breast cancer. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 prevents insurance companies from denying coverage based on genetic information. You may want to discuss genetic testing with your doctor if: Counseling is required before undergoing genetic testing for breast cancer. SEE ALL SLIDES 1 OF 10. However, this … Get to know how your breasts look and feel. Fortunately, a genetic test is available that … The length of time it takes to get results depends on the tests performed and under what circumstances they are done. Keep in mind that the vast majority of breast cancer cases are not linked with a breast cancer gene. Genes can develop changes (also called abnormalities or mutations) that change how the cell works. For many people, knowing their test results is important because this information may help to guide health care decisions for themselves and their families. One copy of each gene comes from your mother. People who are concerned about their risk of breast cancer due to relatives' diagnoses may want to visit a genetic counselor to discuss their family health history, as well as other factors, to determine if a genetic test would be helpful. Having a close relative (mother, sister, or daughter) with breast… WISDOM is providing genetic testing for 100,000 women to make breast cancer screening more effective. It’s an agreement between you and your health care provider, showing that you have discussed the tests and understand how the results might affect you and your family. Whether the results are positive, negative, or ambiguous can impact many life decisions, and a counselor can help navigate those decisions. Most of the women on Carmela Fuca’s maternal line have breast cancer, including her mother and grandmother. What will I do differently if the results are positive or negative? While BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations may increase your odds of developing breast cancer, your odds of having either mutation are pretty small. Genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer looks for mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. If other genetic testing has identified a mutation in your family, a negative test means you do not have the specific mutation. Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer among women. An ambiguous test result means that a mutation has been found on the gene, but it is not yet known whether that particular mutation has any effect on the chances of developing breast cancer. It’s also possible to have your ovaries and fallopian tubes taken out. Genetic testing involves a test that looks for inherited mutations in genes related to breast cancer. Genetic test results can also be uncertain or ambiguous. Mammogram. Is there a link between oral contraceptives and breast cancer? Is there a link between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and breast cancer? A male in your family has or had breast cancer. The results of genetic tests won't be available for several weeks. Am I prepared to cope with the result? Meeting with a genetic … There is still a chance that you may be at higher risk for breast cancer because of changes in genes other than those that doctors can test for. The most prominent of these is PALB2. The BRCA gene test is a blood test that uses DNA analysis to identify harmful changes (mutations) in either one of the two breast cancer susceptibility genes — BRCA1 and BRCA2.People who inherit mutations in these genes are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer compared with the general population.The BRCA gene test is offered to those who are likely to have an inherited mutation based on personal or family history of brea… If the test is positive, there is still a 15% to 20% chance of not getting breast cancer. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. You were diagnosed with breast cancer, especially before menopause, and have a blood relative with breast or ovarian cancer. ", Breastcancer.org: “Risk of Developing Breast Cancer.”, Mayo Clinic: “BRCA gene test for breast and ovarian cancer risk.”, National Breast Cancer Foundation: “BRCA: The Breast Cancer Gene.”, National Cancer Institute: “BRCA Mutations: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing.”. Then, you’ll have a blood test to learn whether you have a breast cancer gene. Multiple breast cancers in the same woman, meaning breast cancer developing in both breasts over time or at the same time. You were diagnosed with ovarian cancer and you have blood relatives who have had ovarian or breast cancer. If a test is negative, a person still has a chance of getting breast cancer. All rights reserved. Tests and procedures used to diagnose breast cancer include: 1. Either mutation brings a higher risk of getting breast cancer at a younger age (before menopause). What Are the Potential Problems With Genetic Testing? An estimated 0.25% of the general population carries a mutated BRCA gene, or about one out of every 400 people. Legislation has been enacted to protect people who may have a documented genetic risk of cancer from employment or insurance problems. Someone is either negative or positive. Genetic counseling and testing … For example, people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent have a 2.5% chance of inheriting a BRCA mutation, or about 10 times the rate of the general population. In addition, many women take part in medical research that, in the long run, may lower their risk of death from breast cancer. You can find out if you have a hereditary form of breast cancer with genetic testing. There is both breast and ovarian cancer … Men face a higher risk of prostate cancer. You can talk to a doctor about getting a referral to a genetic counselor, who can help determine whether genetic testing would make sense based on family history and risk factors. Having a discussion with a genetics counselor first is encouraged so a discussion about the potential scenarios can take place. These mutations also raise your risk of ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, peritoneal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. You were diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer before the age of 60. Over time, a person cannot go from being negative to being positive or vice versa for the specific gene mutations they were tested for. ... aunts) on either your mother's or father's side of the family who had breast cancer diagnosed before age 50. And talk with your doctor about blood tests, pelvic exams, and transvaginal ultrasound to look for ovarian cancer. About Breast Cancer > Overview > Breast Cancer Genetics > Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer. The most common genetic testing analyzes whether or not mutations are present either the … And if you have it, you can pass it on to your children. Because the overall odds are so low, most experts recommend that only people with a heightened risk get tested for BRCA mutations. For a woman who tests positive for BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, bilateral mastectomies are usually recommended particularly if she has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Are my family members also prepared, including my children and my spouse? The best thing you can do is to become involved with an established genetic registry that can counsel people who have a genetic risk for cancer. Results can take several weeks or months. This section provides information on genetic counseling and testing for gene mutations that increase breast cancer … You are related to someone (male or female) who has a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Everyday Habits to Lower Breast Cancer Risk, Angelina Jolie and the Power of the Informed Decision, Breast Cancer Genetics and Testing Topics, What You Need to Know About Breast Cancer Treatment, You have two or more blood relatives -- mother, sister, aunt, cousin, or daughter -- with premenopausal breast cancer or. You can also make a decision regarding prevention, with both medications and prophylactic surgery. Most breast cancer cases aren’t genetic. © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. Genetic testing can be helpful regardless of the result, but is most informative if a family member affected by cancer is tested first, if possible. Researchers have identified more than 110 genes associated with breast cancer. However, if you opt for genetic testing and find out you also have the gene, here’s what that means. This act also prevents insurance companies from using genetic information to determine that a health condition existed before application was made for insurance. Knowing your medical history helps your healthcare professional determine whether you might be an appropriate candidate for genetic testing. For some women, genetic testing may help you make informed medical and lifestyle decisions while easing the anxiety of not knowing their genetic background. Breast Problems That Arent Breast Cancer eBook, Nutrition Care for Breast Cancer Patients eBook, other gene mutations besides BRCA that could increase the risk of breast cancer, Navigating Breast Cancer in the Workplace. Where can I find a breast cancer support group? During this educational session, a health care provider will explain the benefits and risks of genetic testing and answer any questions you may have. Women with mutated BRCA2 have about a 45% risk. A negative test result indicates that they do not have that particular known gene mutation. Since many genetic tests only look for one specific gene mutation, the counselor can often help determine which mutations to test for. In addition, scientists do not know all of the genes that can cause breast cancer, so they can test you only for the known genes. 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