Most breast cancers are not inherited. However, if your sister is diagnosed with breast cancer in her 30s, that is an indication that SHE should be tested. And if you are of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry and have any breast or ovarian cancer in the family, testing is definitely indicated. The best advice is to meet with a Genetic Counselor who can assess your risk, based on your family history and ethnicity. And have you heard about Sharsheret? It's an organization for Jewish women and their families facing breast/ovarian cancer. They have free, confidential programs including a peer support program, a Genetics for Life program and many other helpful resources. You can visit the web site at www.sharsheret.org or call me at (866)474-2774. I'm a Certified Genetic Counselor and will happy to speak with you.
Niecee Schonberger, MS, CGC
Coordianator, Genetics for Life program
I was Diagnosed with Breast Cancer @ age 33. No Family history of Breast or Ovarian Cancer.
I tested Positive for BRCA2!
I have since had a Bi-Lateral Mastectomy.
My parents have both been tested. My Father is also positive.
My Brother refuses to be tested, he feels that the anxiety would be too much for him to handle. Not because he is thinking of himself, but because he has a Beautiful young Daughter, and the thought that he may have the BRCA2 mutation and passed it on to her is overwhelming.
Testing is Not for everyone. Speak with a Gentic Councillor to get all the facts and information before you make a decsion.
I am a breast cancer survivor dx at age 38. I am now 46. One of my sister has breast ca- also dx at 38. I would love to have the testing. My place of employment excludes this from their insurance policy. I am a nurse and work for a hospital. How is that for support? I have tried everything I know to get them to pay for this. I was told by the human resourses rep this test is screening not diagostic. I could pay for the test myself- however, being a single mom of 2 boys kinda puts a damper on the 3500.00 price tag for the test. What is a woman to do?
My sister has medicaid. It doesn't pay for genetic testing. The testing for relatives after the first genetic markers are done is 400.00. The problem is why would medicare pay and not private insurance? How can companies be allowed to treat people this way? Not to mention the fact I work for a health care facility.
I need to understand this as I believe it is misinformation. I am a Certified Breast Care Nurse who performs genetic testing and counseling. Does your mother have a known cancer diagnosis? Just because she is negative does NOT mean anyone else in your family who has had a breast or ovarian diagnosis before age 50 is negative. I am not trying to be an alarmist, as it doesn't mean everyone is positive either. My concern is the misinformation that was given to you.
My mother died of ovarian cancer, her mother of breast cancer. Even though I could afford it, I have never been tested. We see insurance companies not paying for a serious medical condition because an application omitted having had acne as a teenager, think what they will do with this information! HIV etst results are protected and private (even though they could kill other people). Positive for BRCA1/BRCA2 is NOT private and you can bet that insurance companies will use it against you.
I have carried private insurance for 13 years. There is no way I would have been able to buy that insurance had I tested positive. Instead, I act as though I may have the mutation and perform frequent self-examination, and always insist on both a mamogram (with the newer machines), an ultrasound, and a CA-125 test every single year.
What is the point of finding out that you have the mutation, if the information will only be used by insurance companies to ensure you won't be able to pay for the best treatment?
Hi Kimichan - a new law took effect last year prohibiting insurance companies from sharing genetic information. Found this on another blog:
"The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), which was signed into law last year, prohibits health insurers or health plan administrators from requesting genetic information of an individual. GINA also prohibits most employers from using genetic information for hiring, firing or promotion decisions and for any decisions regarding terms of employment. Regulations for the health insurance section of GINA will take effect on May 22, 2009 and the sections relating to employment will take effect on November 21, 2009. For complete details about the provisions in GINA, go to http://www.genome.gov/24519851"
Hope this helps - PJH
I just got tested 2 weeks ago for BRCA1/ BRCA2 I get my results on Nov.2nd. I am feeling very stressed. If I test positive I will once again have to face tough choices.LIFE is about choices and chances . peace always Barb
Luckily, Barb, most women who are tested for BRCA1 or BRCA2 test negative. But if you test positive - indeed, then you'll have some decisions to make. Please read our post on Jessica Queller, a woman who had to make the same decision you might be making. I think her experience will prove helpful to you, if you test positive. Best of luck to you - PJH
I tested positive for the BRCA 2 gene after a breast cancer diagnosis. I'm blogging about it all at www.nancyspoint.com. I am a huge proponent of testing, even after a diagnosis, if there are red flags. I hope you'll check out my first post on the topic, I plan more. Good info here. Thanks
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Thanks for providing such detailed guidelines for genetic testing. I think most people overestimate the effect of heredity on breast cancer. Some people are worrying way too much, and others are assuming they will be fine because cancer doesn't run in their family. In reality what most of us in both groups need to be doing is living a healthy life style and letting our doctors know about any type of breast change.