In particular, genetic testing should be considered under the following circumstances:

For women of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, in addition to the above criteria, several categories are associated with a high (>10%) risk of mutation: 1) a personal history of ovarian cancer occurring at any age; and 2) a family history of either ovarian cancer or early-onset breast cancer.

Genetic testing for breast and/or ovarian cancer involves looking for an inherited change (sometimes called a mutation) in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Testing is performed using a small blood sample. For details ordering the genetic test for breast or ovarian cancer please click here. Please click here to read how to have the test.

Please note that the test can only be ordered by a qualified healthcare provider!

For women who test positive for mutation of the BRCA1 gene or mutation of the BRCA2 gene chemoprevention and prophylactic surgery can diminish the hereditary risk of contracting breast cancer. These interventions are associated with life expectancy gains comparable to the gains achieved by using chemotherapy for malignancy. Prophylactic bilateral mastectomy represents an effective (though extreme) strategy for reducing breast cancer among women with BRCA mutations. Prophylactic oophorectomy not only reduces the risk for ovarian cancer but also reduces the risk for breast cancer in women with BRCA mutations. For example, prophylactic oophorectomy reduced the risk of breast cancer in women with BRCA mutations by nearly 50%. In addition, a recent study showed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to be superior to mammography among women who had a familial or genetic predisposition to breast cancer.... read more