What Happens Following a BRCA Gene Test?
Following a BRCA gene test, you may obtain one of three possible test results:
- Positive: An adverse BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation is present when the test is positive, which increases your risk of getting breast, ovarian, or other malignancies.
- Negative: A disappointing outcome can mean one of two things: 1) that you did not receive a dangerous BRCA1 or BRCA2 variant from a close relative, or 2) that you were not tested for the particular variant but may have another variant.
- Variant of uncertain significance (VUS) [8]: A VUS test reveals the existence of a different, uncommon genetic variant that is not yet linked to an elevated risk of cancer.
Your doctor or a genetic counselor will give you advice on what to do next based on the results of your test. There are several strategies to lower your chance of developing cancer if you have tested positive for the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, including yearly screenings, certain drugs, and preventive operations.