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

What you can expect

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

The BRCA gene test is a blood test. A doctor, nurse or medical technician inserts a needle into a vein, usually in your arm, to draw the blood sample needed for testing. Your blood sample then goes to a laboratory for DNA analysis. It takes several weeks before test results are available. You meet with your genetic counselor again to learn your test results, discuss their implications and go over your options. Federal and state laws help ensure the privacy of your genetic information and protect against discrimination in health insurance and employment.

Results How you prepare
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