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Genetic Testing and Counseling

According to the CDC, it’s recommended that young women with specific patterns of breast cancer in their family history consider genetic counseling and testing for genetic mutations that can lead to cancers.

Keep in mind that if you ever test positive for a breast cancer mutation, it doesn’t automatically mean you’ll get cancer.

 

Genetic Testing and Counseling


According to the CDC, it’s recommended that young women with specific patterns of breast cancer in their family history consider genetic counseling and testing for genetic mutations that can lead to cancers.

Keep in mind that if you ever test positive for a breast cancer mutation, it doesn’t automatically mean you’ll get cancer.

How to Arrange for Genetic Testing

So, you want to get genetic testing done to see if you have any predispositions for cancer. Let's discuss how the process works. 

Set it Up

Make an appointment with your provider, clinic, lab, hospital or doctor’s office. Let them know what your intentions are and what goals you hope to achieve from your results. 

 

Get the Test

A blood and/or saliva sample will be retrieved and sent off to be tested. It may include multiple vials. Talk to your doctor about any necessary preparations you need to make ahead of time. 

 

Wait for Results

Results can take several weeks to get back. Your doctor help you schedule an appointment to discuss your next steps, including setting up a time and date to meet with a genetics counselor to go over your results. 

What Can You Expect Next?

Your provider will contact you about your genetics report and request an appointment to go over your results. From there, it’s likely that you’ll be referred to a genetics counselor to discuss your personal risk assessment based on your health profile and family history.

 

You’ll want to talk about things like:

• The specific tests that might be used and the accuracy of these tests.

• What happens if you have a positive or a negative test result.

• The possibility that a test result might not give you all the information you need.

• The emotional risks and benefits of genetic test results.

• How genetic test results may affect other members of your family.

When You Receive Your Results

Receiving results from genetic testing can bring up many emotions, thoughts and feelings. Your doctor will be able to explain your risks as they relate to your results and recommend next steps, which may include screening routines, prophylactic measures and/or risk-reducing procedures.

Testing Negative

If you are tested for a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation that runs in your family, a negative BRCA1 or BRCA2 test result may give you a sense of relief, since special screening, tests, or surgeries may not be needed. However, even if you test negative for a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, you can still get breast or ovarian cancer. A genetics counselor can help you understand if you need further tests.

Testing Positive

A positive BRCA1 or BRCA2 test result helps you better understand your personal risk of getting breast and ovarian cancers better. You can make choices about what to do to reduce your risk and about what screening is right for you.

Source: The National Cancer Institute

Variables of Unknown Significance (VUS)

If you get you genetics report, it may include Variables of Unknown Significance (VUS). According to Cancer.org, VUS genes are a variation in a genetic sequence for which the association with disease risk is unclear. These are also called unclassified variant, variant of uncertain significance, and variant of unknown significance.

Your genetics counselor can provide you with more insight in regard to future screenings and prophylactic measures against VUS genes.

What Can You Expect Next?

Your provider will contact you about your genetics report and request an appointment to go over your results. From there, it’s likely that you’ll be referred to a genetics counselor to discuss your personal risk assessment based on your health profile and family history.

You’ll want to talk about things such as:

• The specific tests that might be used and the accuracy of these tests.

• What happens if you have a positive or a negative test result.

• The possibility that a test result might not give you all the information you need.

• The emotional risks and benefits of genetic test results.

• How genetic test results may affect other members of your family.

Never Forget How to Do a Self Exam

Fill out the form below and get easy-to-access instructions on how to do a self breast exam. 

Never Forget How to Do a Self Exam

Fill out the form below and get easy-to-access instructions on how to do a self breast exam.