A new test called breast cancer gene testing (BRCA) is now being used to help identify women with a key breast cancer gene.

What is BRCA?

Breast cancer (BRCA) gene testing is done to evaluate a person's risk for developing breast cancer.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that help control normal cell growth. The test helps identify a faulty BRCA1 and/or BRCA2.

Women with an impaired BRCA1 gene are 80% likely to develop cancer in the breast or ovary.

For a person diagnosed with breast cancer, results from BRCA gene testing can help family members assess their risk for breast cancer.

The Reality of Genetic Testing

Genetic counseling before and after BRCA testing will help you understand and deal with the benefits, risks, and possible outcomes of testing.

However, information about having genetic changes could affect your employment or your health, life, and disability insurance.

To locate health professionals who provide genetic testing and counseling, call the Cancer Information Service at 1-800-422-6237 (1-800-4-CANCER).

The Cost of Genetic Testing

Genetic testing can be very expensive (costing hundreds to thousands of dollars) and may not be covered by your health insurance.

Think about how a positive BRCA gene test might affect you. For instance, would you consider any preventive strategies, such as close monitoring, taking tamoxifen, or having your breasts or ovaries removed (preventive mastectomy or oophorectomy)?

References

Foulkes WD, Metcalfe K, Sun P, Hanna WM, Lynch HT, Ghadirian P, Tung N, Olopade OI, Weber BL, McLennan J, Olivotto IA, Begin LR, Narod SA. Estrogen receptor status in BRCA1- and BRCA2-related breast cancer: the influence of age, grade, and histological type. Clin Cancer Res. 2004 Mar 15;10(6):2029-34.