Genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer may help you make better health decisions and prevent disease if you are at higher risk for these diseases.

Most cancer is sporadic — it occurs by chance alone. But 7 to 10 percent of breast and ovarian cancer is hereditary, or passed from generation to generation.

Hereditary cancer has general features that include:

• Cancer diagnosed at a young age (earlier than 50 years old)
• Multiple primary cancers in the same person
• A combination of certain cancers in a family, such as breast and ovarian or colon and uterine

Hallmark features in a personal and family history that suggest hereditary breast and ovarian cancer are:

• Breast cancer before age 50
• Ovarian cancer at any age
• Breast cancer in both breasts
• Breast cancer and ovarian cancer diagnosed in the same person
• Male breast cancer
• Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommends that genetic testing be offered when:

• You have a personal or family history that suggests hereditary cancer.
• The genetic test can be adequately interpreted: You have a family history or ethnic background that provides enough information to interpret your test results.
• The test results will be useful: They can aid in your diagnosis, influence your medical or surgical management, or help other family members at risk for hereditary cancer.

Knowing whether you have a genetic risk for breast and ovarian cancer means you can take steps to reduce your risk. It can also provide valuable information to your family members about their risk.

Scientific Literature References