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Hear Jessica, a real patient, talk about why she decided to have BRCA testing.
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BRCA by the Numbers
Up to 1 in 10 people with breast cancer has a hereditary mutation
Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the most common causes of hereditary breast cancer.
When it comes to BRCA mutation testing—don’t wait. Getting a BRCA mutation test early can give your doctor important information that can help you get the treatment that’s tailored for you.
Who Should Consider BRCA Mutation Testing?
If you have been diagnosed with TNBC or HR-positive breast cancer, knowing if you have a BRCA mutation could make a difference in your treatment. Your BRCA mutation status is a clinical characteristic your healthcare team can use to make decisions about your treatment plan.
Doctors often recommend gBRCA mutation testing for some people when they are told they have cancer. Talk to your doctor to help determine if you should consider gBRCA testing. The discussion can help you understand your treatment options and inform treatment decisions.
A family history of certain cancers, such as breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers, may suggest that a BRCA mutation runs in your family. Genetic testing can help you understand your risk of developing certain cancers. This can help you and your provider make informed healthcare decisions.
BRCA Mutation Testing in Breast Cancer
When should I get tested for BRCA mutations?
- Testing after diagnosis can help inform your treatment plan
- Even if you have already started cancer treatment, you can still talk to your healthcare team to see if you should consider genetic BRCA mutation testing
How do I get tested for BRCA mutations?
- Your healthcare team will guide you through the process and help you schedule an appointment for genetic testing. They may refer you to a genetic counselor. If your doctor isn’t familiar with genetic counseling, there are services that can help identify a genetic counselor for you
- A genetic test requires a blood or saliva sample, which will then be sent to a lab. The results may take a few weeks to come back. Your healthcare team will discuss what your results mean and go over your treatment options
- If you test positive for a BRCA mutation, a genetic counselor can help you determine the best testing strategy for you and your family
Talk to your healthcare team about getting BRCA testing. Knowing your results could help you find a treatment that may be right for you.
BRCA Mutations and Breast Cancer Treatment
If you have triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) or hormone receptor-positive (HR-positive) breast cancer and test positive for a BRCA mutation, you may be eligible for certain targeted treatment options.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Knowing that you have an inherited BRCA mutation can inform your treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and targeted treatments
- If you have a BRCA mutation, you may be eligible for a targeted treatment called a PARP inhibitor
- Tumors that have BRCA mutations are more sensitive to PARP inhibitor treatment. PARP inhibitors work by causing DNA damage that cells with BRCA mutations have trouble repairing. This can cause cell death
be right for your type of breast
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Once your healthcare team receives your results, they will inform you of your BRCA status. At this point, your doctor may suggest next steps, depending on your results.
Questions about next steps?
Interested in talking to your doctor about BRCA testing?
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Do you have questions about insurance coverage for BRCA mutation testing?
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