BRCA1/2 genetic test
BRCA test · BRCA gene test · breast cancer gene test · BRCA mutation test
This blood or saliva test looks for inherited changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. These changes raise the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
If several relatives had breast, ovarian, prostate, or pancreatic cancer, if breast cancer appeared at a young age, or to help choose treatment.
⏱ Duration: the blood draw usually takes 5 minutes; results usually come in 2 to 4 weeks
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Counseling. It is best to talk with a genetic counselor or geneticist before the test: what it can show and what to do with the result.
- Food. You usually do not need to fast. Check with the lab.
- Family. Make a list of relatives with cancer: who, what cancer, and at what age.
What to bring
- Your referral
- Your ID
- The list of relatives with cancer
- A relative's genetic report, if there is one
How it goes
- You sit down, and the nurse ties a band on your arm
- The skin is wiped with antiseptic
- Blood is taken from a vein into one tube
- Sometimes saliva is collected in a tube instead of blood
- The sample is sent to a genetics lab
What you'll feel
- A quick prick, like a normal blood test
- Feeling anxious is common and normal. Ask your doctor questions
Afterwards
- Results usually come in 2 to 4 weeks
- It is best to go over the result with a genetic counselor or geneticist
- If a change is found, the doctor will talk about checkups and ways to lower your risk, and relatives may be offered the test
- If nothing is found, it does not guarantee you will not get cancer. Your doctor will say what checkups you need
Common questions
If a mutation is found, will I definitely get cancer?
No. Your risk is higher than other people's, but it is not a sentence. There are checkups and steps that lower this risk.
Do I need to repeat this test?
Usually not. Your genes do not change during your life, so once is enough.
Do men need this test?
Sometimes, yes. Men can have BRCA changes too and pass them to children of either sex.