DNA Direct: Your Genes in Context

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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

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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

What Testing for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Tells You

Genetic testing can give important information to people at high risk for hereditary breast or ovarian cancer.

For example, if a woman tests negative for a mutation that is known to run in her family or ethnic group, she can have the relief of knowing that she is at no greater risk of developing these cancers than the average woman. As a result, she can follow the screening guidelines recommended for the general population.

If a woman at high risk tests positive for a BRCA mutation, there are a numbers of options she can pursue to lower her risk for the disease. These options include more aggressive screening guidelines, taking preventive medications, having risk-reducing surgery, or altering her lifestyle to reduce her risk.

For people who have a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer but do not know the mutation involved, genetic testing offers less conclusive results. If doctors do not find a mutation in the family, these women should still follow more aggressive screening strategies based upon their high-risk family history.

Other important things to remember are:

Only 5 to 10 percent of all breast and ovarian cancers are caused by mutations in the BRCA genes.
Having a BRCA mutation does not mean that a person will automatically develop cancer.
There is no 100 percent-effective way to prevent breast or ovarian cancer should a mutation be discovered.