Is genetic testing worth it for breast cancer?
Genetic testing in your family members who have not had breast or ovarian cancer is unlikely to be helpful, unless another relative is known to have a mutation. In some cases testing might still be helpful for another family member who has had breast or ovarian cancer.
What does it mean if you test positive for the breast cancer 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.
What are the disadvantages of genetic testing?
Some disadvantages, or risks, that come from genetic testing can include:
- Testing may increase your stress and anxiety.
- Results in some cases may return inconclusive or uncertain.
- Negative impact on family and personal relationships.
- You might not be eligible if you do not fit certain criteria required for testing.
How do I qualify for BRCA testing?
Who should consider BRCA gene testing?
- A personal history of breast cancer diagnosed before age 45.
- A personal history of breast cancer diagnosed before age 50 and a second primary breast cancer, one or more relatives with breast cancer, or an unknown or limited family medical history.
Why you shouldn’t do genetic testing?
Testing may increase your stress and anxiety. Results in some cases may return inconclusive or uncertain. Negative impact on family and personal relationships. You might not be eligible if you do not fit certain criteria required for testing.
Why we shouldn’t do genetic testing?
The test often can’t determine if a person will show symptoms of a disorder, how severe the symptoms will be, or whether the disorder will progress over time. Another major limitation is the lack of treatment strategies for many genetic disorders once they are diagnosed.
What happens if you test positive for BRCA?
A positive test result means that you have a mutation in one of the breast cancer genes, BRCA1 or BRCA2, and therefore a much higher risk of developing breast cancer or ovarian cancer compared with someone who doesn’t have the mutation. But a positive result doesn’t mean you’re certain to develop cancer.
What do you do if your BRCA test is positive?
If you test positive for any of these abnormal genetic mutations, your genetic counselor can talk you through risk-reducing options, including increased screening, risk-reducing hormonal therapy, or risk-reducing surgery.
Why is genetic testing so controversial?
Real and conceivable controversies If used in an ethical manner, genetic testing can eliminate unforseen suffering and distress. But, issues such as privacy, consent, discrimination, equity, and social engineering are potential barriers that many individuals have confronted already.
Why do people refuse genetic testing?
Arguments against genetic screening Some feel that genetic screening would lead to discrimination of those individuals, which possess “inferior” genes. Second, people fear that genetic screening will lead to reproductive decisions being based on the genetics of their child.