Who Needs to Have a BRCA Gene Test?
People who are most likely to have a gene mutation due to a personal or family history of cancer are advised to undergo BRCA gene testing. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [7] advises that you think about obtaining the BRCA test if you:
- have a personal history of fallopian tube cancer, primary peritoneal cancer, breast cancer, or ovarian cancer
- have ovarian cancer or breast cancer in your family history
- have a history of breast or ovarian cancer in your family and are Ashkenazi Jewish or of Eastern European descent.
- have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation history in your family
Certain persons are more likely to have inherited BRCA gene mutation than others, notably those with a family history that includes oneself or a relative with:
- breast cancer, especially a male
- ovarian cancer
- both ovarian cancer and breast cancer
- breast cancer in both breast
- a confirmed BRCA mutation
Consult a doctor about genetic counseling if you’re worried that your family history may indicate an elevated risk of breast or ovarian cancer.