In this story , experts share tips on talking about inherited mutations. Louis, had a doctor recommend that she have the genetic testing her cousin had first told her about in She also convinced her sisters and brothers to drive up from Mexico to San Diego for genetic counseling and testing. Soon, she was volunteering to help others. She also spends time getting the word out about genetic counseling and testing to the Latino community.
Sue Rochman is a contributing editor for Cancer Today. People with cancer who are thinking about using cannabis to manage cancer-related symptoms should seek answers to some practical questions. Sooner rather than later may be the best strategy for using an experimental treatment for advanced melanoma. Olufunmilayo Olopade seeks widespread use of testing to encourage prevention and early detection of deadly cancers.
Turn on more accessible mode. Turn off more accessible mode. Toggle navigation. But 25 years after the mutations were discovered, some who could benefit from testing are still left out.
Article Cover Image. Article Cover Image Caption. Article Content. Read More Letting children know they might have a mutation that increases their risk for cancer can be a challenge. December 23, Related Stories A Plan of Action Jamil Rivers supported her husband through two serious illnesses before she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Her experiences as a Black woman undergoing treatment inspired her to tackle health inequities.
Putting Data to Work Researchers create breast cancer prediction models tailored for Asian Americans. Cancer Talk Cooking Demos for Cancer Survivors Culinary medicine translates the science of nutrition into the art of cooking. More Posts. You still have the same cancer risk as that of the general population. An ambiguous result, also known as a variant of uncertain significance, occurs when the analysis finds a genetic variant that may or may not be associated with an increased risk of cancer.
It is helpful to meet with your genetic counselor to understand how to interpret this finding and decide on appropriate follow-up. New models are being developed to help determine risk of cancer with ambiguous results. Most variants of uncertain significance are eventually reclassified into either a positive or negative result. To be informed when this happens, stay in touch with the doctor or genetic counselor who ordered your genetic test. Or you may be at high risk of hereditary cancer if your family carries a high-risk gene mutation that researchers haven't yet identified.
Finally, your family may have another hereditary cancer gene mutation that can be detected with other genetic tests. Researchers are continuing to study gene mutations that increase the risk of cancer and developing new gene tests. If your gene test was done more than five years ago, your doctor might recommend testing again with newer tests. If your family health history changes, such as if additional family members develop cancer, your doctor might also recommend additional gene testing.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. The latest on newly diagnosed breast cancer Up-to-date information on recurrent breast cancer Specialized treatment information for high risk breast cancer Error Select a topic. Email address. Thank you for subscribing You will receive the first breast cancer email in your inbox shortly, which will include information on treatment, diagnosis, surgery and how breast cancer teams at Mayo Clinic approach personalized care.
Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry. More Information Breast cancer Ovarian cancer. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references AskMayoExpert. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
Accessed July 31, BRCA mutation: Cancer risk and genetic testing. National Cancer Institute. Pruthi S expert opinion. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.
Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Important Phone Numbers. Get the facts. Your options Have a breast cancer gene test.
Don't have the test. This change can make them much more likely to get breast cancer —and for women, ovarian cancer also. This test is only recommended for those who have a strong family history of breast cancer or family history of ovarian cancer.
But most people with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer—even a strong family history—do not have BRCA gene changes. Not everyone who inherits a BRCA gene change will get cancer. Both men and women can inherit a BRCA gene change and pass it on to their children. Having a BRCA gene test may help you plan steps to lower your risk. The test itself is simple. It involves taking a small sample of your blood and sending it to a special lab.
But the results—whether positive or negative—could have a big effect on your life. Most provincial health plans will cover the cost of genetic testing for those who meet the conditions for testing.
How do you know if you have a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer? You may be more likely to have a BRCA gene change if you: footnote 1 Were diagnosed with breast cancer before age Have had breast cancer in both breasts.
Have had breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Have one or more male family members who have had breast cancer. Have multiple cases of breast cancer in the family. Have at least one family member who has had BRCA-related cancer. What can you do if your test result is positive? You may have several options that can lower your chances of getting cancer: Have checkups and tests more often.
An annual mammogram or an MRI may be recommended. Talk with your doctor about how often you should have checkups. Have surgery to remove your breasts. This can greatly reduce your chance of getting breast cancer.
Have surgery to remove your ovaries. After this surgery you will not be able to get pregnant. And if you were having menstrual cycles, you will start menopause.
But this surgery can lower your chances for getting breast cancer and greatly reduce your chance of getting ovarian cancer. Take medicine. Medicines that may help prevent breast cancer in women who are at high risk include raloxifene and tamoxifen. Take birth control pills to lower the risk of ovarian cancer. But birth control pills may have other health risks, so talk with your doctor. Why might your doctor recommend a gene test? Compare your options.
Results may take several weeks. If you test positive, you know you are more likely to get cancer and can choose which steps to take to prevent cancer. Other family members might benefit from knowing your test results. The test result won't give you a clear action plan. You will still have to think about your options and decide what to do. If you test positive, you may feel depressed, afraid, or very worried. If you test negative, you may have a false sense of security. A negative BRCA test does not mean that you won't get breast or ovarian cancer.
If you test positive, you will have to decide whether to tell other family members, who would then have to decide whether to be tested. If you test positive, you may have difficulty getting life insurance, long-term care insurance, or disability insurance. You avoid having the false sense of security from a negative test result. You won't know for sure if your risk is higher because of a gene change.
0コメント