BRCA gene test for breast cancer

The Mayo Clinic Diet Book, learn more

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Risks

By Mayo Clinic staff

Living With Cancer

Subscribe to our Living With Cancer e-newsletter to stay up to date on cancer topics.

Sign up now

There's really no medical risk associated with being tested for a BRCA gene mutation. Rather, risks are tied to the emotional, financial, medical and social implications of your test results.

If you test positive for a BRCA gene mutation, you may face:

  • Feelings of anxiety, anger, sadness or depression
  • Concerns over possible insurance discrimination
  • Strained family relationships over learning of a familial genetic mutation
  • Difficult decisions about preventive measures that have long-term consequences
  • Feelings of "inevitability" that you'll get cancer

On the other hand, if you test negative for a BRCA mutation or your results aren't clear-cut, you may experience:

  • Uncertainty and concern that your result may not be a true negative result
  • "Survivor guilt" if your family has a known gene mutation that may affect your loved ones
How you prepare Why it's done
References
  1. Hamilton R. Genetics: Breast cancer as an exemplar. Nursing Clinics of North America. 2009;44:327.
  2. BRCA1 and BRCA2: Cancer risk and genetic testing. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/BRCA. Accessed Dec. 1, 2010.
  3. BRCA-1 and BRCA-2. Lab Tests Online. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/brca/multiprint.html. Accessed Dec. 1, 2010.
  4. Isaacs C, et al. Genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 1, 2010.
  5. Pruthi S (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 9, 2010.
  6. Litton JK, et al. Perceptions of screening and risk reduction surgeries in patients tested for a BRCA deleterious mutation. Cancer. 2009;115:1598.
  7. Hall MJ, et al. BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in women of different ethnicities undergoing testing for hereditary breast-ovarian cancer. Cancer. 2009;115:2222.
  8. Meyer LA, et al. Evaluating women with ovarian cancer for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations: Missed opportunities. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2010;115:945.
  9. Pruthi S, et al. Identification and management of women with BRCA mutations or hereditary predisposition for breast and ovarian cancer. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2010;85:1111.
  10. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, et al. ACOG practice bulletin No. 103: Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2009;113:957.
  11. Peshkin BN, et al. Genetic counseling and psychosocial issues in women with an inherited predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 1, 2010.
  12. Isaacs C, et al. Options for women with a genetic predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 1, 2010.
  13. Esserman L, et al. Lessons learned from genetic testing. JAMA. 2010;304:1011.
  14. Berek JS, et al. Prophylactic and risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2010;116:733.
MY00322 Dec. 28, 2010

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger