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If you have had women in your family with ovarian cancer, you may very well be concerned that it’s something hereditary. Genetic testing is available for ovarian cancer, though the CDC notes that most types of ovarian cancer are not caused by inherited mutations, so genetic testing may not help most women. However, genetic counseling can help determine whether you and your family are likely to have a mutation that should get tested.

The following scenarios are of higher risk:

1. If you’ve had a significant family history ovarian cancer
2. In case of moderate family history of ovarian cancer and are of Ashkenazi Jewish or Eastern European ancestry
3. If you have personal history of breast cancer and meet criteria related to age of diagnosis, type of cancer, presence of other cancers, cancer in both breasts, ancestry, and family health history
4. Having a personal history of ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer
5. Carrying a known BRCA1, BRCA2, or other inherited mutation in your family

What are the BRCA Genes?

The breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer 2 (BRCA2) genes are the genes most commonly affected in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Those genes are meant to protect you from getting certain cancers, but mutations may prevent them from working properly. If you inherit one of these mutations, you are more likely to get breast, ovarian, and other cancers.

How does genetic testing work?

The BRCA gene test is a blood test that uses DNA analysis to identify harmful mutations in either one of the two breast cancer susceptibility genes. You could also do a multigene panel, which looks for mutations in several genes simultaneously. If there is someone in the family who has had breast, ovarian, or other BRCA-related cancer, they should be the first to get tested. If that is not possible, then an unaffected person can get the test done. Keep in mind that in this case the results may not be as helpful.

What do the results mean?

Positive: this you have a mutation in either BRCA1 or BRCA2, so you are at a much higher risk of developing breast cancer or ovarian cancer. Someone who doesn’t have the mutation is at a much lower risk. However, a positive result is NOT a guarantee that you will develop cancer. Rather, it cautions you to get tested more frequently and to consider procedures and medications to minimize your cancer risk.

Negative: it means a BRCA gene mutation was found but assessing your cancer risk is still difficult. The test result is a “true negative” only if it finds that you don’t have a specific BRCA mutation that’s already been found in a relative. Unfortunately, even with a negative result you still have the same risk of cancer as the general population.

There is also the possibility of getting an uncertain result, which means a mutation in one of the genes was found, but whether that specific mutation causes cancer is undetermined. Researchers continue to develop medical practices to prevent cancer and treat patients successfully, and within the means of science it is definitely advised to do what you can to keep yourself and your family safe, as well as take precautions.