Who should get breast cancer genetic testing?

Family history: It may be useful for a woman with strong family history of breast cancer. Even in that case the woman should consider what she would do with the results before getting the tests done. It is best to consult your doctor to detemine if a genetic test may be warranted.

Start w/affected pt: Pesonal and family risk factors assoc w/brca mutation: muliple fam members, bil breast cancer, male breast cancer, ovarian cancer, ashkenazi jewish heritage (specific founder mutations), diagnosis age <50 (dx age < 60 if er/pr/her2 - or triple negative). Both maternal and paternal history is important.

Family history: It may be useful for a woman with strong family history of breast cancer to get genetic testing done. Even in that case the woman should consider what she would do with the results before getting the tests done. It is best to consult your doctor to detemine if a genetic test may be warranted.

Family history: It depends on the family history of the person.

Risk for cancer: If you have a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer (or less commonly prostate or pancreas), if you had cancer before certain age, or breast cancer with certain characteristics, you may be a candidate for brca testing. Please note that this should be done in a setting of a full risk assessment visit by a trained professional.