DNA Direct: Your Genes in Context

Login

Register as a New User

forgot your password?
view privacy policy

Problems accessing your account?
Email support@dnadirect.com or call us at 1-877-646-0222.

Testing for Genetic Disorders

Related Genetic Tests

Breast & Ovarian Cancer Risk

Includes pre- and post-test counseling, and a letter for your doctor

Price: $851.00 - $3,531.00

Order Testing

Pre-test & Post-test Consultation

Our genetic experts can counsel you before and after testing.

Price: $250 per hour

Call to schedule: 1-877-646-0222

BREAST & OVARIAN CANCER RISK

Who Should Consider Testing for Hereditary Breast & Ovarian Cancer?

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.

Who Should Consider BRCA1 and BRCA2 Testing

Genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (BRCA1 and BRCA2) is appropriate for women who have a high risk for these cancers based on a personal and/or family history.

Who Is High Risk?
People with a personal history of at least one of the following:
Invasive breast cancer before 50 years
Ovarian cancer at any age
Both invasive breast cancer and ovarian cancer at any age
Male breast cancer at any age
People with invasive breast cancer or ovarian cancer who have one of the following:
One or more first-degree relatives (mother, father, sister, daughter) or second-degree relatives (aunt, uncle, grandmother, niece, granddaughter) with invasive breast cancer diagnosed before 50
One or more first- or second-degree relatives with ovarian cancer
One or more first- or second-degree relatives with male breast cancer
Clinically unaffected patients with a family member with a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation
Individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish (Eastern European) ancestry with invasive breast or ovarian cancer at any age, or meeting any of the above criteria.