How do I know if I have the BRCA gene?

The BRCA gene test is most often 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. The sample is sent to a lab for DNA analysis. In some cases, other sample types are collected for DNA analysis, including saliva.

Can you be BRCA positive with no family history?

Is it possible to be BRCA+ without any known family history of BRCA or breast cancer in the family? Yes, we think that approximately 2% of individuals without a personal or family history of breast, ovarian or pancreatic cancer will carry a mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2.

Does BRCA gene come from mother or father?

Everyone carries 2 copies of BRCA genes inherited from his or her mother and father. If 1 parent has a BRCA mutation, all of his or her children have a 50% chance of inheriting that mutation. Even if a child inherits only 1 mutated BRCA gene, that person’s risk of developing cancer increases.

Do I qualify for BRCA testing?

In general, you are eligible for BRCA testing if you are classified as having a 10% or greater chance of carrying a BRCA mutation. The following factors are likely to determine whether you are eligible: Your age. Whether you currently have or have previously had breast, ovarian or prostate cancer.

Can the BRCA gene skip a generation?

If you have a BRCA mutation, you have a 50 percent chance of passing the mutation to each of your children. These mutations do not skip generations but sometimes appear to, because not all people with BRCA mutations develop cancer. Both men and women can have BRCA mutations and can pass them onto their children.

How expensive is BRCA testing?

The cost of testing ranges from under $100 to over $2000. If a doctor or genetic counselor orders genetic testing for you, your insurance usually covers the cost. Depending on your specific situation and health care plan, you may or may not be responsible for some out-of-pocket costs, such as copays and deductibles.

Is BRCA1 a death sentence?

Having a mutated BRCA1 gene can mean a death sentence for those affected. Those with the faulty gene have up to an 87% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer and up to a 60% lifetime risk of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

What happens if I test positive for the BRCA gene?

A positive test result indicates that a person has inherited a known harmful variant in BRCA1 or BRCA2 (these are typically called “pathogenic” or “likely pathogenic” variants on laboratory test reports) and has an increased risk of developing certain cancers.