• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
    • Clinical Trials Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Longevity / Breast Cancer (Advanced) / Considering Genetic Testing? Here’s What You Should Know

Considering Genetic Testing? Here’s What You Should Know

genetic testing for breast cancer

You may have heard that some genes put women at extra risk for breast cancer. If your mother, grandmother, aunt, or sister has had the disease, you may very well wonder if a breast cancer gene runs in your family. The first thing you should know is that only a small minority of breast cancers — about 5 to 10 percent — can be traced to specific mutations, and even having family members with breast cancer doesn’t mean a breast cancer gene runs in your family. So how do you know if genetic test is a good idea for you?

RELATED: Genetic Breast Cancer More Common In African Americans

Genetic tests look for mutations in two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BR for breast and CA for cancer), that may indicate a substantially higher risk of getting breast or ovarian cancer. You’re born with two copies of each gene. If you’ve inherited a mutation in one copy, lots of things can go wrong. Usually, its healthy partner can handle the workload. But if anything happens to the second copy — you’re exposed to a carcinogen, say, or you simply undergo the ravages of age — the mistakes can multiply in each new generation of cells and lead to cancer.

Should I consider getting tested?

This is something you’ll want to think through carefully. Don’t rely on promotional materials to make your decision; companies and labs often overstate the value and accuracy of the tests.

If you’re considering having the test, the first thing you should do is make an appointment with a genetic counselor to get impartial, informed advice. You may also want to involve your primary care doctor in your decision or consult a breast surgeon or oncologist.

You May Also Like
7 Proven Ways to Cure an Upset Stomach

RELATED: Find An Oncologist Here

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends against routine genetic testing for women without a family history that puts them at increased risk for breast cancer. Its guidelines, published in 2013, recommend that women with a clear family history (which represents only about 2 percent of adult women in the U.S.) be evaluated for genetic testing. This includes women who have family members with breast, ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer.

According to the task force, the screening tools that are now available can more accurately assess family history factors that may determine whether a person is at increased risk of having the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. These factors include:

  • Breast cancer diagnosed before age 50 years
  • Cancer in both breasts in the same woman
  • Both breast and ovarian cancers in either the same woman or the same family
  • Multiple breast cancers
  • Two or more primary types of BRCA1- or BRCA2-related cancers in a single family member
  • Cases of male breast cancer
  • Ashkenazi Jewish ethnicity

RELATED: Managing Motherhood & Metastatic Breast Cancer

Researchers also believe that the test would be more helpful to you if a relative with breast or ovarian cancer also agrees to be tested, so that analysts can test you for the same mutation. If you already have had breast cancer yourself, you may want to be tested for the benefit of all the other members of your family, including your children.

Finally, consider whether the advantage of knowing your risk outweighs the potential trouble that the information can bring. A negative result does not mean that you won’t get cancer, or even that you’re not at high risk, so you’ll still need to be vigilant about breast exams and mammograms. And since there aren’t any foolproof ways to avoid getting breast cancer, think about whether a positive result may cause you undue anxiety. Studies have shown that testing positive for a known breast cancer mutation can incite anxiety levels comparable to those of women who’ve actually been diagnosed with the disease, according to an article on genetic testing in the American Journal of Nursing.

You May Also Like
How One Woman Eliminated 50 Fibroids without Surgery!

RELATED: Breast Cancer And BRCA/Genetic Testing: What You Need To Know

What do the results mean?

The test will tell you only whether you’ve inherited any mutations in your BRCA genes. Some mutations are known to be dangerous, some are harmless, and some have unknown effects. How a particular mutation influences your risk of getting breast cancer depends on

Continue Reading

The Latest In Breast Cancer (Advanced)

breast cancer treatment options

Navigating Breast Cancer: Understanding Your Treatment Options

Advanced breast cancer, also called metastatic breast cancer, is a severe and sometimes fatal disease.  Advanced breast cancer arises when cancer cells move from the breast to other body regions, such as the bones, liver, lungs, or brain. Although this read more about Navigating Breast Cancer: Understanding Your Treatment Options
breast cancer at 20

Can I Get Breast Cancer At 20?

If you are under the age of 40, when it is suggested that women begin getting screening mammograms, you may believe you are too young to have breast cancer—this is not the case.  While breast cancer is uncommon in younger read more about Can I Get Breast Cancer At 20?
vitamin D and breast cancer

Vitamin D and Breast Cancer: Is there a Connection?

The relationship between vitamin D levels and breast cancer has generated some debate. According to recent studies, having low vitamin D levels may increase the chance of cancer recurrence. Vitamin D has extra advantages for those attempting to reduce their chance of read more about Vitamin D and Breast Cancer: Is there a Connection?
massage for breast cancer patients

4 Massages You Need To Try As A Breast Cancer Survivor

One of the best things to come out of spa services are massages. Getting a massage has to be one of the best feelings in the world. The aftermath of how you feel is completely different to how you felt read more about 4 Massages You Need To Try As A Breast Cancer Survivor
chemotherapy

10 Must-Have Items When Going Through Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a harrowing experience for anyone. That's why it is wise to bring whatever you can to make it easier on you as you go through that tough situation. For your convenience, we have put together some of the read more about 10 Must-Have Items When Going Through Chemotherapy
life hacks

Essential Life Hacks All Breasties Should Know

Living with a chronic illness can be discouraging in many ways. Chronic illnesses have the ability to steal the joy from you and your life especially when it comes to your breast. There are so many unknowns about this disease read more about Essential Life Hacks All Breasties Should Know

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • 10 Signs You’re Living With Clogged Arteries 10 Signs You’re Living With Clogged Arteries
  • Mo’Nique at 55: Slimmer, Happier & Wiser: “I Love Us For Real”Mo'Nique at 55: Slimmer, Happier & Wiser: "I Love Us For Real"
  • Monica Calhoun at 51: “Exude Beauty Inside, Manifest It Outside”Monica Calhoun at 51: "Exude Beauty Inside, Manifest It Outside"
  • 7 Foods That Replenish Your Liver 7 Foods That Replenish Your Liver
  • Al B. Sure First Interview Since Waking Up from ComaAl B. Sure First Interview Since Waking Up from Coma

Podcast

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2023, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.